kissing cousin

noun

Synonyms of kissing cousinnext
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
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.
But the majority of Americans aren’t socialists and don’t wish to be governed by kissing cousins of Karl Marx and Kim Jong Un. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Many of the new school of nootropic and functional drinks are like kissing cousins of mushroom coffee, except in refreshing soda form. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Nov. 2025 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 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 Indeed, the founders recognized bureaucratic oppression as a kissing cousin to taxation, and said so in the Declaration of Independence, equating each with a single mention. Dana D. Kelley, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of kissing cousin was in 1941

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Cite this Entry

“Kissing cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kissing%20cousin. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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