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.

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

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

Ahmad said that those were photos from a trip to see his brother-in-law, who was training at a U.S. military base.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

Their worlds collide when Pooja marries Arun – Kamlesh's brother-in-law that she reared as her own son.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Still, he didn’t return to face his accusers, and the UAE appeared to have little inclination to extradite him, said Ahmad Hadi, 48, a physician who is Ashaal’s brother-in-law.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

I could think of much worse kids to have as a brother-in-law.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

brother-in-law

Example Sentences

Related Words