The phrase "are related" indicates a connection or correlation between two or more things. There are several other synonyms that can be used in place of "are related", such as connected, affiliated, associated, interrelated, linked, or tied. Each of these words expresses some sort of relationship between two or more entities, though the specific nature of the relationship may differ. For instance, "linked" suggests a direct connection, while "affiliated" implies a more indirect relationship involving shared characteristics or interests. Whichever synonym is used, it's important to remember that each one conveys a degree of connection or similarity between the entities being discussed.