as in relative
a person connected with another by blood or marriage
we both were surprised to learn that we are distant cousins
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cousin
Unlike the specialized literary magazine and its informal cousin, the literary blog, the general-interest newspaper has a kind of noble rapacity, an encyclopedic ambition to wrap its arms around the whole of the world.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
The decision to halt production of the Escape, and its luxury cousin the Lincoln Corsair, also built at Louisville Assembly, was so that Ford could spend $2 billion to retool the plant to build a future lineup of affordable electric vehicles, the first one — a midsize pickup — to launch next year.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
My son’s cousins have siblings, too.
—Angela Hatem, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The subject of the study was Kanzi, arguably the world's most famous bonobo — an endangered species of ape that's a smaller cousin to chimpanzees.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cousin
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
The decision to halt production of the Escape, and its luxury cousin the Lincoln Corsair, also built at Louisville Assembly, was so that Ford could spend $2 billion to retool the plant to build a future lineup of affordable electric vehicles, the first one — a midsize pickup — to launch next year.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
My son’s cousins have siblings, too.
—Angela Hatem, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The subject of the study was Kanzi, arguably the world's most famous bonobo — an endangered species of ape that's a smaller cousin to chimpanzees.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cousin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cousin
Noun
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Experts recommend a mix of technology and regular check-ins to balance safety and independence for elderly relatives.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Because the foxes in the Sierra Nevada are isolated from their relatives living in the Lassen Peak area, the collaring of this fox offers scientists a rare opportunity to better understand the ecology and conservation needs of this remote group.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a sign of how bitter relations have sunk, in January star Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman had his Indian Premier League contract abruptly canceled, prompting Dhaka to ban broadcasts of the league in retaliation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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That effort ultimately was unsuccessful and helped create Lightfoot’s sour relations with the City Council toward the end of her single term.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Police are back outside Nancy and her daughter Annie's homes Tuesday, as the family anxiously awaits a return.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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The family was seeking safety in the town of Bohodukhiv, some 60 kilometers (38 miles) west of Kharkiv, having fled their home further east just days ago, Ukrainian police said in a statement posted on Telegram.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Social capital and child development Immigrant grandparents and extended kin often play an active role in children’s lives.—
Sothy Eng,
The Conversation,
2 Feb. 2026
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When Scott was elected in 2020, rowdy groups of teenagers were assaulting visitors in Harborplace just for fun, sending visitors back injured and traumatized, vowing never to return, nor any of their kin.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the chief’s kinsmen failed to honor his request.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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Compared to Joshua Thompson and his kinsmen, the McAlberts of Canton were mere liegemen in the local hackerama.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cousin. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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