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

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

“Sabbir doesn’t want to share with us information about the situation,” said his father-in-law, Kutub Uddin Biswas.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

"I have a Henry Moore, which I'm very proud of that Kirk, my father-in-law, gave Michael and I for one of our joint birthdays, and we love it very much."

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

The only colonel he trusted was Colonel Moodus, and even be had an in with his father-in-law.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

father-in-law

Example Sentences

Related Words