1
: related by blood : descended from a common ancestor or prototype
The dog and fox are closely akin.
2
: essentially similar, related, or compatible
His interests are akin to mine.
Examples of akin in a Sentence
The two languages are closely akin.
foxes are closely akin to dogs
Recent Examples on the Web
Union’s pixie, with its long choppy layers, is more akin to the Christy cut, so named for ’90s supermodel Christy Turlington, which is an even longer version of the pixie cut that is also trending this year.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
In a set of experiments, a team of researchers offered a bonobo named Kanzi invisible juice and grapes, presenting the tests as something of a game, akin to a child’s make-believe tea party.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
The Chiefs’ run over the last decade was akin to moving a boulder uphill.
—Sam McDowell 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
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Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
In a set of experiments, a team of researchers offered a bonobo named Kanzi invisible juice and grapes, presenting the tests as something of a game, akin to a child’s make-believe tea party.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
The Chiefs’ run over the last decade was akin to moving a boulder uphill.
—Sam McDowell 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for akin
Cite this Entry
“Akin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/akin. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
akin
adjective1
: related by blood
2
: essentially similar or related
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