Definitions

father-in-law

[fah-ther-in-law] / ˈfɑ ðər ɪnˌlɔ /

NOUN

kinsman

Synonyms

STRONG

agnate aunt blood brother-in-law cognate connection cousin father 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 brother-in-law cognate connection cousin father 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 brother-in-law cognate connection 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.

His father-in-law was a merchant who received the tea that provoked the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

My wife and I borrowed money for a down payment from my father-in-law, for our first house, and he told me that it was a gift.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

He has visited with the president on numerous occasions and his father-in-law, Ronald Lauder, is a longtime friend of Trump.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Bowen, 29, is a crowd favourite and his father-in-law is actor and celebrity West Ham fan Danny Dyer.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

As the ox stopped in front of the village, the father-in-law stepped forward to help the strange animal get off the ox.

From "The Girl Who Married a Lion: and Other Tales from Africa" by Alexander Mccall Smith

father-in-law

Example Sentences

Related Words