Definitions

mother-in-law

[muhth-er-in-law] / ˈmʌð ər ɪnˌlɔ /

NOUN

kinsman

Synonyms

STRONG

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

WEAK

clansperson great-grandparents

NOUN

kinswoman

Synonyms

STRONG

agnate aunt blood brother-in-law cognate connection cousin father father-in-law folk folks grandparents in-laws kin kinsman kinsperson mother 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 brother-in-law cognate connection father-in-law folks grandparents in-laws kinsperson 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.

As we were eating it, our daughter thanked us for the $100 birthday gift and then announced that her mother-in-law, who lives in another state, had sent her $400.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Jean Alexander Capote lost his mother-in-law in the disaster and cried with frustration as he searched for his stepdaughter among the ruins.

From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026

My mother-in-law couldn’t keep up with a toddler.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

Twisha was a former beauty pageant winner and actor, while her husband and mother-in-law were lawyers.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

But my mother-in-law is a stubborn woman and she did not let it pass.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

mother-in-law

Example Sentences

Related Words