Definitions

brother-in-law

[bruhth-er-in-law] / ˈbrʌð ər ɪnˌlɔ /

NOUN

kinsman

Synonyms

STRONG

agnate aunt blood cognate connection cousin father father-in-law folk folks grandparents in-laws kin kinsperson kinswoman mother mother-in-law nephew niece relation sib sibling sister-in-law stepbrother stepparent stepsister uncle

WEAK

clansperson great-grandparents

NOUN

kinswoman

Synonyms

STRONG

agnate aunt blood cognate connection cousin father father-in-law folk folks grandparents in-laws kin kinsman kinsperson mother mother-in-law nephew niece relation sib sibling sister-in-law stepbrother stepparent stepsister uncle

WEAK

clansperson great-grandparents

NOUN

relative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aunt cousin father folk mother niece sibling uncle

STRONG

agnate blood cognate connection father-in-law folks grandparents in-laws kinsperson mother-in-law nephew relation sib sister-in-law stepbrother stepparent stepsister

WEAK

clansperson great-grandparents

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At one point, Spaeny looked over to see her brother-in-law having a heart-to-heart with Melton’s dad.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

"I'd phoned my brother-in-law just to see if there was a bit of a space for the evening and I was trying to gather some things together for my wife as well."

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Helping his brother-in-law film a documentary, Thapar watched as their subject stalked a herd of sambar deer in one of the many Ranthambore lakes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

While we were talking, her brother-in-law, Jeremy, came outside.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

With a mixture of sadness and relief, Severo decided that his brother-in-law and his machine must have fallen into some hidden crevice of the cordillera, where they would never be found.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

brother-in-law

Example Sentences

Related Words