Word: fraternize

Associations

Fraternize means to form a friendship or to socialize in a friendly manner, often with people that you may not normally associate with.

• In a workplace situation, a manager might warn employees not to fraternize with clients to keep a professional relationship.
• During the war, soldiers from different sides sometimes fraternized, showing kindness despite being enemies.
• At school, students may fraternize during lunch breaks, which means they are socializing and making friends with one another.

The synonym "associate" means to connect or be involved with someone. However, "fraternize" emphasizes a friendly relationship, often informal or casual, while "associate" can indicate a more neutral connection without a sense of warmth.

Substitution

You could use other words/phrases like "socialize," "mingle," or "hang out."

• "Socialize" implies engaging in conversation and interaction but does not always suggest deep friendship.
• "Mingle" often refers to moving around and talking with different people in a casual way, possibly in a social event setting.
• "Hang out" usually means spending time together without any specific agenda or purpose, which might convey a more relaxed or casual vibe compared to "fraternize."

Deconstruction

The word "fraternize" comes from the Latin "frater," which means "brother." The root reflects the concept of brotherhood or becoming friendly as one might among brothers. It implies a sense of camaraderie or fellowship.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you fraternized with someone from a different group or background? What happened?
• How might the meaning of "fraternize" change when used in a professional versus a personal context?
• In what situations do you think fraternizing could be viewed positively or negatively?