sister-in-law
noun
sis·ter-in-law
ˈsi-st(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ 
-tərn-ˌlȯ
plural sisters-in-law
ˈsi-stər-zən-ˌlȯ
1
: the sister of one's spouse
2
a
: the wife of one's sibling
b
: the wife of one's spouse's sibling
Examples of sister-in-law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first is an adventure to mark my sister-in-law's 30th birthday, a springtime itinerary that hopes to dodge spontaneous snow squalls and make the most of the limited daylight.
—
Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Janice called her sister-in-law to drive her and Shaylee to the hospital.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Quentin’s sister-in-law offered Flora a room in her Paris apartment and an opportunity to work with her at the YMCA there.
—Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
The journalist's parents, Ed Schlossberg and Caroline Kennedy, were also listed, as were her siblings, Jack and Rose Schlossberg, and her sister-in-law, Rory McAuliffe (Rose's wife).
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sister-in-law
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.
Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Janice called her sister-in-law to drive her and Shaylee to the hospital.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Quentin’s sister-in-law offered Flora a room in her Paris apartment and an opportunity to work with her at the YMCA there.
—Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
The journalist's parents, Ed Schlossberg and Caroline Kennedy, were also listed, as were her siblings, Jack and Rose Schlossberg, and her sister-in-law, Rory McAuliffe (Rose's wife).
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sister-in-law
Cite this Entry
“Sister-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sister-in-law. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share