Synonyms of relative

relative 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-lə-tiv 

as in cousin

a person connected with another by blood or marriage

it's always fun to see all your relatives at a big family gathering

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cousin
• relation
• family
• kin
• kinsman
• in-law
• folk
• house
• people
• lineage
• tribe
• stock
• clan
• blood
• race
• kindred
• kissing cousin
• kinswoman
• kinsfolk
• line
• kinfolk

relative

2 of 2

adjective

1

as in comparative

being such only when compared to something else

after being crammed into a one-bedroom apartment, they lived in relative comfort in a two-bedroom house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comparative
• comparable
• almost
• approximate
• similar
• equal
• near
• equivalent
• alike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• absolute
• complete
• perfect
• pure
• real
• outright
• unqualified
• true
• genuine
• downright
• out-and-out

2

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand

I don't need the whole story, just the details that are relative to the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relevant
• applicable
• pertinent
• pointed
• to the point
• appropriate
• important
• meaningful
• germane
• useful
• suitable
• apposite
• apropos
• fitting
• material
• significant
• allowable
• apt
• admissible
• fit
• sensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irrelevant
• immaterial
• little
• inapplicable
• extraneous
• negligible
• minor
• insignificant
• unimportant
• pointless
• trivial
• slight
• impertinent
• trifling
• inconsequential
• frivolous
• inapposite
• irrelative
• meaningless
• useless
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• purposeless
• senseless
• inadmissible
• inapt

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relative

Noun

At the Texas and Connecticut trials, victims’ relatives testified that Jones’ followers — believing his claims that the shooting didn’t happen — subjected them to death and rape threats, in-person harassment and abusive comments on social media. — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

The class-action deal covers relatives of people who donated bodies between January 2018 and March 2023, amid uncertainty over which cadavers Lodge plundered before cremation or return to families. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Model limitations and shortcomings The simulator can rate the relative efficacy of public policies. — Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

When speaking to Georgetown’s appeal as a retirement destination, Whitlock also notes its relative affordability (and lack of congestion). — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026