How is the word participate distinct from other similar verbs?
The words partake and share are common synonyms of participate. While all three words mean "to have, get, or use in common with another or others," participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.
participated in sports
When can partake be used instead of participate?
The words partake and participate can be used in similar contexts, but partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.
partook freely of the refreshments
Where would share be a reasonable alternative to participate?
While in some cases nearly identical to participate, share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.
shared my toys with the others
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of participateVarious state and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, participated in searches Tuesday.—Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 To participate, nominees had to have a presence in or near Charlotte and have fewer than 20 locations nationwide.—Simone Jasper
april 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026 In her new role as Artist-in-Residence, Linney will continue to work on developing projects for upcoming seasons at MTC, as well as participating in MTC’s educational and community outreach programs.—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026 Psychoanalysis was launched in America in 1909 when the visiting Viennese doctor Sigmund Freud participated in a historic conference at Clark University alongside his younger protégé Carl Jung.—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for participate
That’s pretty phenomenal; Arden even shares credit with the lighting designer, Jen Schriever.
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Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Consider every actual thing Diego Pavia has done and said to hurt himself — not the fake things, one of which was shared Sunday by people who should know better — and apply them to a quarterback who is 6-foot-3 instead of 5-foot-10, with a powerful arm instead of an average one.