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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of relative
New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2026
Asitimbay enjoyed watching history documentaries in his free time, the relative said.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Despite the relative calm, fear and caution clung to me.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Noun
It’s headed by Stefano Picasso (not a relative of Pablo Picasso), and has just come up with a flat-track-racing motorcycle that features an adjustable carbon frame.
—New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2026
Asitimbay enjoyed watching history documentaries in his free time, the relative said.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Given Banijay’s relative size, Payne was deemed by two of our sources to just about have the edge.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Despite the relative calm, fear and caution clung to me.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
Noun
-
This ensemble is like the moody cousin of the classic T-shirt-and-jeans combo.—
Shelby Comroe,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The woman, whom authorities said was Paige's cousin, had a gunshot wound to her shoulder.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The company has fewer blockbusters than other European pharmaceutical companies and its share price has been a comparative laggard over the past year.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Wine flights, cider flights, and coffee flights have been around for decades, allowing for comparative tastings and offering an alternative for those among us who struggle to choose just one.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Emily Hemendinger does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While Denny Hamlin, 45, and Kyle Busch, 40, remain relevant, Johnson in many ways is the last of the Mohicans.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a sign of how bitter relations have sunk, in January star Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman had his Indian Premier League contract abruptly canceled, prompting Dhaka to ban broadcasts of the league in retaliation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That effort ultimately was unsuccessful and helped create Lightfoot’s sour relations with the City Council toward the end of her single term.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Regardless, a population of 213 unsheltered homeless people is comparable to, if somewhat higher than, the totals found in unincorporated areas during recent point-in-time counts, a separate method for quantifying the crisis that takes place once a year.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The average salary of a state employee in Oklahoma is significantly lower than comparable jobs in other sectors, according to a study by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Information should be for the student, and, if applicable, their parent(s).—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Florida Times-Union,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Orange County has paid more than $39 million worth of settlements in the almost year since the Airport fire broke out and destroyed more than 100 structures, according to county officials.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relative. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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