Working together is something we all do every day, whether in school, at work, or just helping out a friend. But saying “collaborate” over and over can get boring. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and simple words you can use instead! From “team up” to “join forces,” these words make it easy to sound more natural. In this post, you’ll learn 29 easy and clear synonyms for collaborate. We’ll explain what each one means and show you how to use it.
1. Cooperate
To cooperate means to work with someone to get something done. It can be used in school, at work, or even when playing games. When people cooperate, they listen to each other and help out. “The students cooperated to finish the group project on time.” It’s a kind and helpful word. You can cooperate with friends, family, teachers, or co-workers. It shows you’re willing to be part of a team. Use it when you want to say that people are working together peacefully and with a shared goal in mind.
2. Team up
Team up means to come together with someone to do a task or solve a problem. It sounds friendly and casual. “Let’s team up to clean the garage faster.” When you team up, you work side by side with someone else. It can be for fun or for serious work. It’s often used in games, group projects, and even at work. This phrase shows you are not alone—you’ve got a partner! So if you and a friend are doing something together, you’re teaming up!
3. Work together
Work together is a simple way to say people are helping each other to get something done. It’s used a lot in schools, families, and workplaces. “We can solve the puzzle if we all work together.” This phrase means sharing tasks, ideas, or time. It shows unity and support. It’s easy to understand and use in any situation. When everyone puts in effort to reach the same goal, they are working together. It’s a basic and kind way to describe teamwork.
4. Join forces
Join forces means two or more people or groups decide to work together for a shared goal. “The two companies joined forces to create a better product.” It sounds powerful and strong. This phrase is used when people or teams combine their strengths. It’s great when talking about partnerships or projects that need many skills. When you join forces with someone, you become stronger together than alone. It’s a fun way to say you’re teaming up to make something better or solve a problem.
5. Partner
Partner means to become someone’s teammate or helper in doing something. You can have a business partner, a school partner, or a dance partner. “She partnered with a friend to sell handmade crafts.” It shows a close working relationship. When you partner with someone, both people are equal and work toward the same goal. It’s a useful word for both formal and casual teamwork. Whether it’s a project or a job, being a partner means being part of a team.
6. Assist
Assist means to help someone with a task or job. It’s often used in sports, work, or emergencies. “He assisted his teacher by handing out papers.” When you assist someone, you make their work easier or faster. You don’t take over—you just support. This word shows that you care and want to be helpful. It can be used by kids and adults alike. When two people assist each other, they’re really collaborating in a simple and kind way.
7. Contribute
Contribute means to give something to a group effort, like ideas, work, or time. “She contributed her ideas to the team meeting.” It’s a nice way to say that you are part of something. When everyone contributes, things get done faster and better. You can contribute to a project, a group, or even a charity. This word reminds us that we all have something to offer. When you give your help, thoughts, or skills, you’re contributing—and collaborating too.
8. Combine
Combine means to bring things or people together to make something new or better. “We combined our talents to start a small business.” When you combine ideas, skills, or tools, you’re working as a team. This word is about mixing things together to improve a result. It shows that people or things can become stronger when they are united. It’s often used in cooking, science, or teamwork. If you combine efforts with someone, you’re clearly working together.
9. Coordinate
Coordinate means to organize things or people so that everything works smoothly. “She coordinated the event with her classmates.” It’s a good word when talking about planning and teamwork. When you coordinate, you make sure that everyone knows what to do and when. It’s a little more formal than “team up,” but still easy to understand. In teamwork, someone usually has to coordinate the parts. If you help organize a group or task, you are definitely collaborating.
10. Unite
Unite means to come together as one to reach a common goal. It’s a strong word that shows people joining for a reason. “The community united to clean up the park.” When people unite, they put aside differences and work as a team. It’s often used in big movements, events, or efforts where everyone needs to work together. Unite is perfect for showing big or serious teamwork. It’s about being one group with one goal, showing strength in numbers.
11. Pool resources
To pool resources means everyone brings what they have and shares it with the group. “They pooled their money to buy a gift for their teacher.” It’s a great way to describe teamwork where people share tools, money, time, or ideas. When people pool resources, they can do more than they could alone. It’s like building a puzzle—each person brings a piece. This phrase shows how helpful teamwork can be when everyone gives a little bit to get a lot done.
12. Support
Support means to help, stand by, or cheer someone on. “He supported his friend during the science project.” It’s a kind word that shows you care and want to help. When you support someone, you may not lead the work, but you make it easier. Support is important in any team, group, or friendship. You can support with words, time, or actions. When everyone supports each other, it’s real collaboration. It means no one has to do everything alone.
13. Synergize
Synergize means to work so well together that the result is better than what each person could do alone. “When they synergize, their ideas are always amazing.” It’s about teamwork where 1 + 1 equals more than 2. It sounds a bit formal, but it shows strong collaboration. People who synergize don’t just help each other—they improve each other. This word is often used in business and team settings. If you want to say that teamwork leads to something extra special, use “synergize.”
14. Fuse
Fuse means to join or blend things into one. “The artists fused their styles to create a beautiful mural.” When people fuse their ideas, skills, or talents, they collaborate in a creative way. It’s a short, simple word that means something stronger is made from separate parts. You can fuse art, ideas, music, or even plans. When things fuse together well, it means they fit perfectly. So if you and someone else create something new together, you’ve fused your efforts.
15. Merge
Merge means to bring two or more things together to form one. “The two tech teams merged to finish the project faster.” It’s used a lot in business or big projects. When people or companies merge, they share everything and work together. Merge shows full cooperation. It’s more than just helping—it means becoming one team. It’s also a smooth and simple word that’s easy to use. If you want to say two groups became one to work better, merge is a great word to use.
16. Affiliate
Affiliate means to connect or join with a larger group or team. “The local club affiliated with a national organization.” It’s often used in groups, schools, or companies. When you affiliate with someone or something, you’re saying you want to be part of their team. It’s a formal way to describe joining up with others. Even though it’s formal, it still means working together. If you join another group for shared goals, you are affiliating—and collaborating too!
17. Liaise
Liaise means to talk and work with others to share ideas and plans. “She liaised with other teachers to plan the school event.” It’s a fancy word, but it simply means keeping in touch and working together. When you liaise, you help different groups connect and communicate. This word is common in offices or big team projects. Liaising helps everyone stay on the same page. It’s useful when you’re the person who talks between two teams to make sure they work well together.
18. Network
Network means to connect with people, especially for work or shared interests. “He networked with others at the conference to find new partners.” When you network, you meet people who can help you or work with you in the future. It’s a friendly and smart way to build teamwork over time. Networking is often used for jobs or business, but it can also be fun. If you’re building relationships that lead to working together later, you are networking.
19. Ally
Ally means someone who joins you in a cause or effort. “They allied with other groups to help clean the beach.” When you ally with someone, you agree to work together for the same goal. It’s a strong word that shows trust and teamwork. Allies can be people, teams, or even countries. You don’t have to be the same to be allies—you just need the same goal. If you’re looking for a word to show deep collaboration and support, ally is perfect.
20. Participate
Participate means to take part in something. “He participated in the team discussion.” When you participate, you’re not just watching—you’re doing something with others. It’s a common word in school, games, and meetings. It shows that someone is joining in the group’s work. It doesn’t mean leading, but it does mean being involved. If you do your part in a team, even in a small way, you are participating—and that’s collaboration.
21. Integrate
Integrate means to combine different things so they work together well. “The new team member integrated quickly into the group.” It’s about joining in fully, not just being nearby. When you integrate, you become part of the group or mix ideas smoothly. It’s a helpful word for talking about teamwork, systems, or even cultures. It shows how separate things can work better when they are connected. If you’re blending into a group and working together, you are integrating.
22. Conspire
Conspire means to secretly work with others to do something, often something sneaky. “They conspired to throw a surprise party for their friend.” Even though it often sounds bad, it can be used in a fun way too. Conspiring means sharing ideas and working together quietly. It shows close teamwork and planning. You may not use it in formal work, but it’s great for secret or exciting group efforts. Just remember—conspiring can be good or bad, depending on the goal!
23. Cohere
Cohere means to stick together or work as a united group. “The ideas in the plan cohere well with the team’s goals.” It’s a smart word that shows things are connected smoothly. You can use it when talking about thoughts, plans, or people. When things cohere, they don’t fall apart—they work together. It’s great for showing that parts of a group or project all match and support each other. Cohere is about togetherness, which is the heart of collaboration.
24. Hook up
Hook up means to connect with someone to do a project or task. “Let’s hook up next week to finish the assignment.” It’s a casual, friendly way to say “let’s work together.” People often use it when planning to meet, help, or team up. It’s not formal, but it’s very common in daily talk. Just be careful—this phrase can also mean something different in other situations! But when used right, it’s perfect for saying “let’s collaborate!”
25. Interact
Interact means to talk or work with someone. “The kids interacted during the group activity.” It’s about action and connection. When you interact, you share ideas, listen, and respond. It’s an important part of teamwork and learning. Interacting helps people feel heard and involved. You can interact in person, online, or in groups. It doesn’t always mean deep work—it can just mean friendly chatting or sharing thoughts. Still, every little interaction can lead to collaboration!
26. Co-create
Co-create means to make something together. “The two artists co-created a beautiful painting.” It’s perfect for when two or more people help build something new. Co-creating is common in art, business, or group projects. It shows shared work and shared credit. When you co-create, everyone has a say and plays a role. This word makes teamwork feel equal and creative. If you and someone else build something from scratch, you’re co-creating—and that’s awesome teamwork.
27. Co-develop
Co-develop means to create or build something together over time. “The teachers co-developed a new class program.” This word is often used in business or school. It shows that people worked side by side to design something new. It’s a smart way to say both sides helped. You can co-develop software, lessons, tools, or ideas. It’s great when you want to show that the work was shared from the beginning to the end.
28. Work jointly
Work jointly means to do something together with shared effort. “The two departments worked jointly to solve the issue.” It sounds formal, but it’s clear and useful. It shows equal help and teamwork. You can use this phrase in meetings, school, or business. When people work jointly, they share time, ideas, and energy. It’s another way to say “collaborate” with a little extra style.
29. Share efforts
Share efforts means that everyone helps and gives part of the work. “They shared efforts to finish the house painting in one day.” It shows that the job didn’t fall on just one person. When you share efforts, teamwork becomes fair and strong. It’s a kind way to talk about helping out. Whether it’s a small job or a big goal, shared efforts make it easier and more fun!

Final Thoughts
Working together is part of life, and it’s always good to have many ways to say it! From fun words like “team up” to stronger ones like “join forces,” these synonyms for collaborate make your language more interesting and clear. Whether you’re helping a friend or working on a big project, these words show that you’re not doing it alone—you’re doing it as a team. Try using them in your next group task and see how your words can build stronger connections!
Synonym | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Cooperate | Work together peacefully | We cooperated to finish the project. |
Team up | Join someone to do something | Let’s team up for the science fair. |
Work together | Help each other to finish a task | They worked together to fix the bike. |
Join forces | Combine efforts for one goal | The students joined forces to plan the event. |
Partner | Become a teammate | He partnered with his friend for the task. |
Assist | Help someone with a job | She assisted her classmate with the math homework. |
Contribute | Give time, ideas, or work | Everyone contributed to the group effort. |
Combine | Mix or bring things together | They combined their ideas for the report. |
Coordinate | Organize tasks or people | She coordinated the school play. |
Unite | Come together for one goal | The teams united to clean the park. |
Pool resources | Share what each person has | They pooled resources to buy supplies. |
Support | Help or stand by someone | He supported his teammate during practice. |
Synergize | Work so well together it improves results | Their ideas synergized beautifully. |
Fuse | Blend into one | The artists fused styles in their painting. |
Merge | Join into a single unit | The two groups merged for better results. |
Affiliate | Join with a larger group | The club affiliated with the national team. |
Liaise | Talk and plan with others | She liaised with the team to set a plan. |
Network | Build helpful connections | He networked with others at the event. |
Ally | Join together for support | They allied with others to help the cause. |
Participate | Take part in something | She participated in the classroom debate. |
Integrate | Join in and become part of a group | He integrated well into the new class. |
Conspire | Plan secretly with others | They conspired to surprise their friend. |
Cohere | Fit or stick together well | The team’s ideas cohere nicely. |
Hook up | Meet or connect for a task | Let’s hook up after lunch to study. |
Interact | Talk or connect with others | The children interacted during the game. |
Co-create | Make something together | They co-created a fun comic book. |
Co-develop | Build something together over time | The teachers co-developed a new course. |
Work jointly | Share work as a team | They worked jointly to solve the problem. |
Share efforts | Give equal help in doing something | We shared efforts to finish the cleanup quickly. |