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 Bear 620 was raised with her cousin, Bear #690 (Bean), who won the Fat Bear Week Junior competition in 2022. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026 If Zuma is all about the social energy, Yoshida is its quiet luxury cousin. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026 If my Arellano cousins are ready to stick it to Trump on election day, so should the Latino men who supported him two years ago. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Speaking from his cousin’s home in Puebla, Mexico, Sanchez-Corona recounted his 18 days inside detention centers in Kansas, Louisiana and Texas. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cousin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cousin
  1. relative
  2. relation
  3. family
  4. kin
  5. kinsman
Noun
  • Her identity was expected to be released by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office coroner division once relatives were notified of her death.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Some contain inscriptions of short poems, according to the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust, which is run by his living relatives.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of relative
Noun
  • But despite years of diplomatic efforts there is no sign of a breakthrough in ending a war that has had repercussions for the global food and energy supply, as well as severely straining relations between Russia and Western countries.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The disagreement came as Zambia was seeking to attract more investment into its copper and other critical-minerals industries while maintaining longstanding economic ties with China and developing closer commercial relations with the US.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of relation
Noun
  • More people are employed in the state than ever before, and more families are choosing to call Arkansas home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Some poor families trudged from one village to another, falling victim to violence, hunger and cold.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • The person — whose name has not been announced publicly pending next-of-kin notifications — was pronounced dead at the scene.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2026
  • His exhausted kin of Gainesville, having spent the morning very much alive and the enormity of a half-decade pummeled, agreed.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cousin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cousin

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