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

Although, in theory, there is no maximum speed limit; the design would need to grow exponentially in size if trying to reach relativistic velocities that are a significant fraction of the speed of light. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Sep. 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