1. of, relating to, or involving association or the process of associating ideas, memories, or concepts
Usage: formal; chiefly used in psychology and cognitive science

Examples

• The associatory nature of memory means that one thought can trigger another through learned connections.
• Psychologists study associatory processes to understand how the brain links concepts together.
• The poem's associatory imagery creates layers of meaning through unexpected connections.
• Advertising relies on associatory techniques to link products with positive emotions.
• His associatory thinking style allowed him to make creative leaps between seemingly unrelated ideas.