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

At such high velocities, light becomes noticeably redshifted and blueshifted because of the relativistic Doppler effect. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026

The X-ray shock breakout was the faintest ever detected, and follow-up observations didn’t identify any relativistic jet bursting forth. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Its vast, diffuse radio emissions are created by particles called electrons racing at near-light, or relativistic, speeds and interacting with magnetic fields of galaxies in the cluster. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2026

The Lense-Thirring effect, which pushes both orbital planes in the same direction, adds algebraically—the noise vanishes and the relativistic signal survives. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

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