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
The authors said that Shanidar A’s wound may be the earliest example of an ancient human relative killed with a wooden spear. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 In February 2025, more than a year before her death, Aurora was taken to an emergency room by a relative after experiencing asthma symptoms, wheezing and difficulty breathing, according to prosecutors. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Either way, Xi will have to pick a relative unknown — all the current members of the Politburo Standing Committee are too old to step into his shoes — raising a host of troubling questions. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The exchanges come amid signs that the long-running conflict, which reignited this summer and intensified last month after years of relative calm, continues to escalate. — Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 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
  • Completing a not-quite Scooby Gang are Mallory (Grace Brennan), returning to public school after three years of homeschooling, and her cousin Weldon (Colter Lee), a deadpan original turn on the nerd.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Bo has had a close relationship with his older cousin Tilden.
    — Lia Beck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of cousin
Adjective
  • Polartec did not provide comparative snagging, shedding or durability results with the announcement.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The company has not released comparative data showing how much Strato improves forecast accuracy over existing observation methods.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of comparative
Adjective
  • CoreMotion technology accelerates the transition from autonomy development and experimentation to operationally relevant capability, as per the release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Confirm your selections match the relevant insurer, policy, and claim type.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of relevant
Noun
  • Smith praised Carney for improving relations with a province that frequently clashed with his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, over his carbon tax and other energy policies.
    — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The waiver also raises questions about Washington’s commitment to Ukraine as relations between the two countries deteriorate.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of relation
Adjective
  • The man at the centre of the story eventually represents a level of power comparable to that of the state.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Except for the shift in timing and this year’s sale lasting one day longer, the sale itself was comparable year-over-year.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of comparable
Adjective
  • Tesla still needs to prove the Roadster can be manufactured reliably and meet applicable regulations.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • According to Vertical, the LCR-110 meets applicable EASA and Federal Aviation Administration technical standards for inertial reference equipment.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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