as in cousin
a person connected with another by blood or marriage
it's always fun to see all your relatives at a big family gathering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in comparative
being such only when compared to something else
after being crammed into a one-bedroom apartment, they lived in relative comfort in a two-bedroom house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relevant
having to do with the matter at hand
I don't need the whole story, just the details that are relative to the case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relative
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
The house, largely untouched since the 1960s, served as a storage repository for many O'Connor relatives.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The attorney general authorized her relative, Shamice Thompson-Hairston, to act on her behalf in the real estate transaction.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relative
Noun
When they are unexpectedly forced to move in with an estranged relative, the Smart Family must navigate
oversized dreams, identity struggles and regional theater in this warmly observant family
comedy.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
The house, largely untouched since the 1960s, served as a storage repository for many O'Connor relatives.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores, Consumer Affairs said.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The attorney general authorized her relative, Shamice Thompson-Hairston, to act on her behalf in the real estate transaction.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
Noun
-
Love me, love Tatum, love your cousins, love Lovey, love your daddy.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Most recently, his novel Tattoos in Memory, about a former terrorist and soldier who becomes a Franciscan priest, was adapted to the big screen in Peru by his cousin, the director Luis Llosa (Anaconda), releasing in August, 2024.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These days lots of other folks are stepping into this West Queens bailiwick, drawn by qualities that include a burgeoning foo d scene, a location highly proximate to Manhattan, a beguiling history and most of all, Astoria’s comparative affordability vis-à-vis neighboring districts.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Beijing has said those concerns are overblown and that the rise of its high-tech industries is due to its comparative advantages and benefits the world.—
Beijing and Washington Bureaus,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
OpenAI reports improvements in core competencies relevant to developers.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Meta has argued in court papers that its purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 have benefited users, and that Zuckerberg's past statements are no longer relevant amid fierce competition from ByteDance's TikTok, Google's YouTube and Apple's messaging app.—
Jody Godoy,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Mike White slickly disintegrates American family and friend relations — using flashy prurience but no analysis.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Another key opportunity for cross-functional collaboration is employee relations.—
Eiman Alhammadi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When looking at gaming, the gender split for recent Super Mario Bros game releases was comparable to that of its feature film.—
Brad Adgate,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
One league executive said Malonga’s talent is comparable to presumptive No. 1 pick, UConn star Paige Bueckers, even if her public profile isn’t.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many stores also have regional stock based on in-store supply, so be sure to check your local zip code where applicable.—
Lisa Wood Shapiro,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Similarly, in a March release, the company said all potential buyers must agree to comply with its privacy policy and applicable law.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.—
James Griffiths,
CNN,
9 Jan. 2020
-
West made his triumphant return to Twitter last Friday after an almost year-long hiatus.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
21 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relative. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share