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
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
In fact, Iryna’s closest Ukrainian relatives have largely avoided the media since her death, due perhaps in part to a language barrier, but mainly because this combination of fresh horror and grief is too intense.
—Julia Coin
april 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
But when the movie went into production in the summer of 2005, most of them were relative unknowns.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Noun
The father and son were towed to Elko to get another rental vehicle and at some point, both relatives entered the airport restroom and came back out.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
In fact, Iryna’s closest Ukrainian relatives have largely avoided the media since her death, due perhaps in part to a language barrier, but mainly because this combination of fresh horror and grief is too intense.
—Julia Coin
april 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Contrary to what many of her students’ parents assume, Lancaster is a relative newcomer to teaching.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
But when the movie went into production in the summer of 2005, most of them were relative unknowns.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
Noun
-
Shamar Elkins, 31, who served in the Louisiana Army National Guard, visited the local Veterans Affairs hospital for a mental health evaluation, stayed there for a week and a half and was released, said Crystal Brown-Page, a cousin of Elkins's brother-in-law, Troy Brown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Thrust into an unexpected role as protector of his younger cousins, Jordan and his crew are pulled into a mythic ocean realm, setting sail aboard a legendary vessel known as the Sun Chaser.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But according to Hisham Hussein, head of the Central Department for Maritime Antiquities and Sinai and supervisor of the excavation, ongoing excavation and comparative studies have changed their understanding of the site.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, the resulting recovery would be $90,000.—
William Jones,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The application states the board wants someone with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including teaching, building and central office leadership.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Singer Pink’s cervical disc replacement has drawn wide attention to a procedure that may be directly relevant for anyone living with persistent neck pain, arm tingling or numbness that won’t quit.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both populous nations had formerly been under British colonial rule and were now independent; the British government, led by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, had an interest in maintaining good relations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
According to Cemda, over the past decade 199 environmentalists have been murdered in Mexico in relation to their defense of natural resources and ecosystems.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And, no doubt, women in the original 1920s audience presumably had comparable lustful desires as the pair on stage; this was hardly the only Coward comedy of its era to be used for foreplay.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
And, no doubt, women in the original 1920s audience presumably had comparable lustful desires as the pair on stage.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Customs and Border Protection will manage the online platform and provide electronic refunds in most cases when applicable, according to court filings.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That opinion, written by conservative icon Justice Antonin Scalia, found religious practices don’t create exemptions from broadly applicable laws.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2026.
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