relatives

Definition of relativesnext
plural of relative
as in cousins
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

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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 relatives Harriet Wallace, who works for a Nashville social services agency, said police and firefighters were visiting homes to check on older adults whose relatives couldn't reach them by phone. Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026 The strained awkwardness of Adelina and Alban’s gestures of generosity underscore the class disparity between the city dwellers and their relatives. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026 But for too many of us, that proved an empty promise, the concept of work-life balance a cruel joke for women burned out from trying to take care of children and aging relatives, advance their careers (or even tread water in them), and meet other seemingly countless obligations. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 Authorities said the prisoners were allowed to meet with close relatives before the executions were carried out. Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Nepotism is a practice of favoring relatives or close personal connections, especially in hiring, promotions, or opportunities, and sometimes regardless of merit. Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026 Once reserved for seasoned players and visits to see relatives, mahjong (also known as mah-jongg), is currently experiencing a major resurgence among younger generations eager for meaningful ways to connect offline. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026 Wallace was hosting a gambling night at the home, and Bell was in attendance with two other suspects, relatives told the Star-Telegram. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026 The identity of the suspect who was shot was not released pending notification of his relatives. Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relatives
Noun
  • Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson housing projects were built and black folks settled in, dreaming of moving in with their better-off cousins who lived near Lenox Avenue.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • After the Holocaust, only my father and two cousins remained; three people out of 700.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In Khamenei’s worldview, normalizing relations with the United States has always been kryptonite, an existential threat to a regime whose identity was premised on resisting America.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Aubuchon declined an interview with The Enquirer via media relations firm Strategic Advisers.
    Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Relatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relatives. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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