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

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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 Jimmy and a nineteen-year-old cousin, Donna Gruber, were killed. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Richards accused Phypers of giving her a black eye after police responded to an argument at his home while his cousin was there. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 Her cousin Pam Schmidt was murdered at 22, just five days after her father died. — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 In the early days, the two cousins spent countless early mornings mixing cookie dough, late nights scrubbing kitchens, and weekends wondering whether the business would survive another week. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cousin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cousin
  1. relative
  2. relation
  3. family
  4. kin
  5. kinsman
Noun
  • The island now houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, where visitors can search digital images of ship manifests for the immigration records of their relatives.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Gorelov, his wife and their two children plan to spend the night with relatives in Spokane.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of relative
Noun
  • In March 2023, for instance, Honduras broke off formal relations with Taiwan and established ties with Beijing.
    — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026
  • From nomadic migrations to geek culture, many of the works seek to record and archive changing relations to place and community, not only in Doha but across the Gulf region.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of relation
Noun
  • People ‘in the middle’ While many are flocking to take advantage of an $8 burger, Alicia Roten’s family is simply trying not to eat out at all.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Officials are relying on reports from the families of victims and survivors in an attempt to determine the number of those missing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • The same forces now shape the wider world of compliance attestation ISO 27001 certification, CMMC assessments and their kin.
    — Amir Tarighat, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Under the microscope, the researchers observed these supergiants running over smaller kin and engulfing them whole at the rate of one every 10 minutes.
    — Jay Kakade July 23, Refractor, 23 July 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cousin

Nglish: Translation of cousin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cousin

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