relative to

preposition

: with regard to : in connection with

Examples of relative to 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.
For investors, the combination of profitability, attractive valuation relative to peers, and long-term growth drivers in AI security make FTNT an attractive candidate. Tony Zhang, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025 Earnings remain low relative to costs of living, with many Gen Z workers earning between $30,000 and $35,000 annually, while more than half live paycheck to paycheck. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 The body of research exploring the link between autism and acetaminophen use during pregnancy is not conclusive, and there’s even less research looking at autism prevalence relative to acetaminophen use during infancy or early childhood. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025 Data journalist Owen Winter of The Economist recently featured research from Michael Loadenthal, founder of the Prosecution Project, in two articles concluding that there is little left-wing violence relative to violent crime on the Right. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relative to

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relative to was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relative to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relative%20to. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

relative to

preposition
: in relation to
the angle of the pole relative to the ground
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!