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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relative
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Our overseas relatives followed her example, connecting through regular emails and calls and supporting Amber, who treasured their infrequent visits back to Australia.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Robert M. Ehrenreich, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Despite a recent Stanford analysis that finds since late 2022, early-career workers have seen a 16% relative decline in employment, a quieter force may be even more damaging.
—Jennifer Moss, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relative
Noun
In Zhuhai, a coastal city neighboring Macao, residents of seaside high-rises were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday afternoon, according to state media, with many taking refuge with relatives, checking into hotels, or moving into temporary government shelters like school gyms.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Our overseas relatives followed her example, connecting through regular emails and calls and supporting Amber, who treasured their infrequent visits back to Australia.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The small size and relative inexpensiveness of these fake papers meant that they could be left at cafes, inserted in coat pockets, and even air dropped into Germany from Allied planes.
—Robert M. Ehrenreich, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Despite a recent Stanford analysis that finds since late 2022, early-career workers have seen a 16% relative decline in employment, a quieter force may be even more damaging.
—Jennifer Moss, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
Noun
-
Originating in western Scotland, argyle was once the textile of kilts and highland regalia—an elevated, stylized cousin of tartan.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In April 2024, Holland heard from her cousin about a young boy who needed a home.—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Last season, Cos, Off-White and Alexander Wang didn’t have runway shows during NYFW so there are no comparative figures.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The fund’s performance in the first seven months of the year — the most recent Boston Partners has made available on its performance — has comfortably outperformed that of the MSCI World Index, which its management team uses as a comparative benchmark index.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The victory moves Chicago to 2-2 and keeps them relevant in the NFC North, as the Minnesota Vikings (2-2) lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In the spirit of staying relevant to the moment that the show is premiering in, how is The Simpsons handling the contemporary political climate with so much scrutiny on comedy?—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As reported by Newsweek, those incidents followed complaints from Poland, Romania, and Estonia about Russian airspace violations, further straining relations between NATO allies and Moscow.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
An official could not confirm to ABC News if the victims were adults or any relation between them.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Below deck, the power plant can crank out 198 kWe for sensors and weapon systems – that's twice the payload space and electrical power of a comparable autonomous vessel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Sep. 2025
-
These simulations suggest that methane could be released at a rate of a few hundred kilograms per second, making the level of activity comparable to the water plumes on Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But, more importantly, is the fact that Tactics‘ message feels more applicable to life in America than any other game this year.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Anyone, whether student or member of the public, interested in attending must provide their full name, contact information, zip code, state, and the name of the school, if applicable.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Despite arguably kicking off the trend of internet shutdowns a decade ago with an almost year-long blackout in the western province of Xinjiang, China is not a frequent offender.—
James Griffiths,
CNN,
9 Jan. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relative. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share