relational
adjective
re·la·tion·al
ri-ˈlā-shnəl 
-shə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to kinship
2
: characterized or constituted by relations
3
: having the function chiefly of indicating a relation of syntax
has is notional in he has luck, relational in he has gone
4
: relating to, using, or being a method of organizing data in a database so that it is perceived by the user as a set of tables
relationally
adverb
Examples of relational in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The traits associated with narcissism, such as a grandiose sense of self-importance, entitlement, low empathy and lower levels of relational commitment contribute to the likelihood of emotional infidelity.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
But the authors miss more significant relational issues.
—Joshua Shifrinson, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023
The same approach can be applied to relationships via relational savoring.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
The very students and families who stand to benefit the most from the kind of relational, supportive education offered at smaller private colleges are not even considering us.
—David Bushman, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
Physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, biology, and ecology all affirm that existence is relational at all scales of space, life, and time.
—Carl Safina, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
While there is no indication that the most popular chatbot apps are currently exploitative, the commercial success of relational AI has already spawned a slew of imitations by lesser or unknown developers, providing ample opportunity for a malicious app to operate among the crowd.
—Remaya M. Campbell, Scientific American, 17 July 2023
There were significant endless discussions about, what is relational perfection?
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 12 Oct. 2023
Indeed, though often diminished as a fame-monger and a raging individualist, Madonna, in Gabriel’s view, pursues an autonomy that is always relational, that finds its highest, most generative expression in convergence.
—Michelle Orange, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
But the authors miss more significant relational issues.
—Joshua Shifrinson, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2023
The same approach can be applied to relationships via relational savoring.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
The very students and families who stand to benefit the most from the kind of relational, supportive education offered at smaller private colleges are not even considering us.
—David Bushman, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
Physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, biology, and ecology all affirm that existence is relational at all scales of space, life, and time.
—Carl Safina, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
While there is no indication that the most popular chatbot apps are currently exploitative, the commercial success of relational AI has already spawned a slew of imitations by lesser or unknown developers, providing ample opportunity for a malicious app to operate among the crowd.
—Remaya M. Campbell, Scientific American, 17 July 2023
There were significant endless discussions about, what is relational perfection?
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 12 Oct. 2023
Indeed, though often diminished as a fame-monger and a raging individualist, Madonna, in Gabriel’s view, pursues an autonomy that is always relational, that finds its highest, most generative expression in convergence.
—Michelle Orange, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relational.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing relational
Dictionary Entries Near relational
Cite this Entry
“Relational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relational. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on relational
Britannica English: Translation of relational for Arabic Speakers
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