relativistic

adjective

rel·​a·​tiv·​is·​tic ˌre-lə-ti-ˈvi-stik 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity or relativism

2

: moving at a velocity such that there is a significant change in properties (such as mass) in accordance with the theory of relativity

a relativistic electron

relativistically

ˌre-lə-ti-ˈvi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of relativistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The other suggests the corona itself is moving outward at extraordinary speeds, causing relativistic effects that amplify polarization. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Truman did not see any moral virtue in sacrificing our soldiers on the altar of an abstract globalism or a relativistic humanitarianism. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025

This relativistic frame dragging affects material just outside the black hole profoundly. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2025

In 1959, two physicists predicted another feature of relativistic motion: an object moving near the speed of light should also appear to be rotated. —ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for relativistic

• anachronistic
• animalistic
• antagonistic
• antiphlogistic
• behavioristic
• cannibalistic
• capitalistic
• characteristic
• collectivistic
• deterministic
• ethnolinguistic
• expressionistic

Kids Definition

relativistic

adjective

rel·​a·​tiv·​is·​tic ˌrel-ət-iv-ˈis-tik 

: of, relating to, or characterized by relativity

relativistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb