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

As their orbit tightens, the relativistic precession of the stars speeds up, while the planet’s precession slows down, because the stars act more like a single object from far away. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

Without correcting for these relativistic effects, navigation errors would quickly accumulate, rendering GPS unreliable. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The plasma oscillates in the laser’s wake, and electrons get dragged along in the plasma’s path, accelerating them to relativistic speeds. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Dec. 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

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