kissing cousin
noun
1
: one that is closely related in kind to something else
2
: a person and especially a relative whom one knows well enough to kiss more or less formally upon meeting
Examples of kissing cousin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whereas the Missouri entry is known for its live entertainment backdropped by majestic beauty, its kissing cousin in Tennessee has that and a whole lot more.
—
David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
Unfortunately, the top-tier Avenir, even with its nearly $60k base price, is outclassed by competitors, including its kissing cousin, the Cadillac XT6.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 12 June 2023
There's kissing cousins and then there's this...
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2023
Morning glory is easy to grow from seeds in most soils and is a kissing cousin to field bindweed, one of the weed vines for later discussion.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2021
Rethink Overalls Get over your jumpsuit by flirting with its kissing cousin, the overall.
—Vogue, 28 Mar. 2019
After weeks of teasers that started with kissing cousins and ended with the news that Ari's former Victorious costar would be in the video, the full, entire thing is here for our viewing pleasure (with tons of outfit inspiration to go around, BTW).
—Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, 30 Nov. 2018
McConnell is pushing for this legislative change to remove a barrier inhibiting the versatile plant some call marijuana's kissing cousin.
—Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, 1 May 2018
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David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
Unfortunately, the top-tier Avenir, even with its nearly $60k base price, is outclassed by competitors, including its kissing cousin, the Cadillac XT6.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 12 June 2023
There's kissing cousins and then there's this...
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2023
Morning glory is easy to grow from seeds in most soils and is a kissing cousin to field bindweed, one of the weed vines for later discussion.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2021
Rethink Overalls Get over your jumpsuit by flirting with its kissing cousin, the overall.
—Vogue, 28 Mar. 2019
After weeks of teasers that started with kissing cousins and ended with the news that Ari's former Victorious costar would be in the video, the full, entire thing is here for our viewing pleasure (with tons of outfit inspiration to go around, BTW).
—Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, 30 Nov. 2018
McConnell is pushing for this legislative change to remove a barrier inhibiting the versatile plant some call marijuana's kissing cousin.
—Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, 1 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Kissing cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kissing%20cousin. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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