cousin

noun

ˈkə-zən How to pronounce cousin (audio)
Definition of cousinnext
as in relative
a person connected with another by blood or marriage we both were surprised to learn that we are distant cousins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cousin My cousin, who is also experiencing financial difficulties, agreed to move in for one to two years to help out. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 18 July 2026 Sinon served alongside his cousin in the Trojan War and became known as the person who orchestrated the famed Trojan Horse maneuver. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Maliyah Miller, 17, came to the Teen Summer Jam with her cousin. — Diamy Wang july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026 No one has been arrested in connection with the cousins’ deaths. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cousin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cousin
  1. relative
  2. relation
  3. family
  4. kin
  5. kinsman
Noun
  • Talk to friends, or other relatives, to get their read of him.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • In Comfort, a group of 42 relatives who had gathered for their family’s 40th annual reunion fled a riverside hotel on Thursday morning, CNN affiliate KENS reported.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of relative
Noun
  • On May 2, 2024, in the midst of worsening conditions in Gaza, Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel and stopped lucrative exports of coal to Israel, as well as all weapons deals.
    — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
  • By contrast, pursuing a narrower fight against the terrorists behind the October 7th attack could free the hostages, bring about normalized relations with Saudi Arabia, and possibly lead to a secure coexistence with a Palestinian state.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of relation
Noun
  • The Lee family is mourning Yip Pik Yi, 65; Lee Chun Man, 44; Yan Yan, 15 months; and Erawati, 34, a domestic worker from Indonesia.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Every day, Cord Shiflet drives 200 miles round trip from Austin, helping survivors tell their stories, connecting them with resources and raising more than $50,000 for affected families through Facebook.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • Sheriff’s officials said the body will be taken to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office and that no further information will be released until the pilot’s next-of-kin have been notified.
    — The Denver Post, Denver Post, 13 July 2026
  • House Bill 256 expands rights and protections for foster parents, relative caregivers and fictive kin caregivers.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of kin
Noun
  • Records of public meetings and community newspapers feature jabs at how far these sorry kinsmen have strayed from their heritage.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026
  • As Molineux passes by, Robin recognizes his kinsman and hears the cruel laughter of the mob.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of kinsman

Browse Nearby Words

courtyards
cousin
cousins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cousin. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cousin

Nglish: Translation of cousin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cousin

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All