Definition of kinsmannext
as in cousin
a person connected with another by blood or marriage to protect the family honor, he sought to revenge the murder of his kinsman

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 kinsman But the chief’s kinsmen failed to honor his request. Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 Compared to Joshua Thompson and his kinsmen, the McAlberts of Canton were mere liegemen in the local hackerama. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2025 Our family grew—from the three siblings left in the wake of our mother’s death—to a bustling bunch of kinsmen redeemers. James T. Farmer, Southern Living, 8 July 2025 Rediscovering his family’s ancestral land centuries after the religious wars forced those kinsmen to flee, our caballero soon steps in to protect a local clan from an oppressive landowner and his abusive henchmen. Ben Croll, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024 At the time of President Lincoln's assassination, my father was in Washington visiting his kinsman, Col. Thomas M. Vincent, who was on the staff of the Adjutant General. Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 3 Sep. 2020 Women were rewarded for refusing to shelter men, including kinsmen, who were involved in the genocide, and for testifying against their rapists. Rania Abouzeid, National Geographic, 15 Oct. 2019 Their kinsmen, already in the United States, have been vital factors in farm and workshop for generations. Lily Rothman, Time, 20 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kinsman
Noun
  • In the summer of 2009 Ronaldo took a trip to Las Vegas — weeks before his transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid — with his brother-in-law and cousin.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • My only entry point was Kendrick's vote of confidence, more notable for the fact that the honor had thus far gone only to his cousin Baby Keem (who this year released a great record beholden to event-album constraints).
    Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The Altadena boy was fatally shot on a relative’s porch in 2016 when a gunman opened fire on a group, apparently targeting an adult gang member who survived.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • In 1880, while walking to visit relatives in New York, Jacobs was struck and killed by a train near Bradford, Pennsylvania.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Kinsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kinsman. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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