relative 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-lə-tiv How to pronounce relative (audio)
Definition of relativenext
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

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

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
Noun
Cherished relatives died alone in hospital rooms surrounded by sterile machines and an ever-rotating set of masked medical personnel. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 Both parents died before Mears was three, and he was passed off among relatives who didn’t want to care for him. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
In survey responses, 1,004 residents of northern Virginia and the Richmond metropolitan area indicated the relative importance of various rules. — Fengxiu Zhang, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 Again, however, originalists respond that everything is relative. — Brian Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
  1. cousin
  2. comparative
  3. relevant
  4. relation
  5. comparable
  6. applicable
  7. almost
Noun
  • The queen bee of the group is Paulina (a sensational Denée Benton), who rambles on about her American cousins and her pro-football player boyfriend Kofi, whom no one has actually met.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Just before the First World War, with a Democrat, Woodrow Wilson, in the White House, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the same post that his legendary cousin Theodore once held.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cousin
Adjective
  • The company did not publish comparative data on buoyancy, deployment time or field performance between the two generations.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mazzei holds a degree in comparative literature from UC Berkeley.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of comparative
Adjective
  • The latest phase includes six deliverables focused on demonstrating the full-scale Seaglider prototype in operationally relevant environments and advancing its integration into defense operations.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Tzachi Zach 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.
    — Tzachi Zach, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of relevant
Noun
  • Mundy claims that his group’s work has led to multiple convictions, despite his at-times contentious relations with police.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Hurst, a government relations and advocacy manager, has not previously held public office.
    — Haley Parsley October 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of relation
Adjective
  • Tickets cost less than $1, while comparable performances elsewhere can cost as much as $300.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • According to Abramson, the pulses are basically imperceptible, comparable to what a pacemaker sends to the heart.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of comparable
Adjective
  • Additionally, quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and systems that are applicable serve to internally strengthen an organization’s impact and provide a way to ensure rigor while keeping the mission impact at the center.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the years that followed, Urbagestion argued that Abascal’s retention of the apartment was invalid and that the contract’s timing was no longer applicable.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of applicable
Adjective
  • Home of a fur seal trade leading to an almost extinction of seals, a whaling station, and then many volcanic eruptions leading to the destruction of scientific stations, this island looks like it is cursed.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The Chiefs have long been the prototypical contender, the Steelers the paragon of the almost contenders … and the Jets, Browns and Raiders are usually in the third bucket.
    — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Definition of almost

Browse Nearby Words

relationships
relative
relatively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relative. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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