relative to

preposition

: with regard to : in connection with

Examples of relative to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Further exacerbating enrollment concerns, are the various policies that schools are implementing relative to freedom of speech and demonstrations. Lucie Lapovsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 This volume indicator actually weights the daily volume readings based on where the stock closes relative to the daily high and low. David Keller, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 It shouldn’t be allowed to grow, unchecked relative to the size of the economy, placing an ever-greater affordability strain on working families. John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 Between the lines: Although the population grew from 2023 to 2024, those numbers are still down relative to 2020. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relative to

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relative to was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relative to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relative%20to. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

relative to

preposition
: in relation to
the angle of the pole relative to the ground
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!