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
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Recent Examples of relative
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026
The same frustrations spurred a confrontation between relatives of a person who'd died and Red Cross volunteers at Mongbwalu General Hospital, and police and soldiers are still at the hospital to defend against further attacks.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Key disagreements—especially over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz—have meant the two sides remain at a relative impasse.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Noun
In letters to the court, Perry’s relatives blasted Iwamasa for lying to the family about what happened.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026
The same frustrations spurred a confrontation between relatives of a person who'd died and Red Cross volunteers at Mongbwalu General Hospital, and police and soldiers are still at the hospital to defend against further attacks.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Adjective
After losing their parents in that tragedy, Osamu and his older sister Akiko live with their only remaining relative, their grandmother, Bā-chan.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Key disagreements—especially over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz—have meant the two sides remain at a relative impasse.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for relative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relative
Noun
-
Mom got in some distant cousin’s car within twenty minutes of arriving, which wasn’t surprising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Everyone talks about the flowers at the Hôtel des Bergues’ more famous Four Seasons cousin in Paris, the George V.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in Paris has a collection of 236 teeth for comparative anatomy research, which Sanz-Royo and her colleagues examined closely to learn what kinds of marks form on teeth during a lifetime of chewing tough grasses mixed with dust and grit.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
-
Nearly 30% of the studies covered in their reference set did not have a comparative group.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Demand for trades like blacksmithing has declined steadily for centuries, but workshop bookings from tourists are helping artisans stay in business and keep dying skills relevant.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
His forecast was the crucial edge in D-day and the volatility of the weather is increasingly relevant in our lives, especially with our changing climate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, relations with those who are closest to you are warm and helpful.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
The European Union will unlock about $19 billion for Hungary after new Prime Minister Péter Magyar moved swiftly to reverse democratic backsliding and repair relations badly strained under Viktor Orbán.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Accessible rooms are available, putting this hotel head and shoulders above comparable historic properties.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
No, Love Island contestants aren’t exactly producing dialogue comparable to The Bard of Avon’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility The main resort is mainly step-free access, and all villas can be modified for wheelchair accessibility with ramps put in place of steps where applicable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
This meant that they were neither governed nor protected by any applicable law.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relative. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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