in relation to

phrase

formal
1
—used to compare to the size, shape, or position of (some other part of the same thing)
The monkey's eyes are large in relation to its head.
2
—used to talk about what something is like by seeing how it is related to something else
understanding literature in relation to history
3
: about (something or someone) : in reference to
I have several comments to make in relation to the subject at hand.

Examples of in relation to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Related Stories Howell Taylor says AI has been part of post-production workflows for a decade and is already built into visual effects, and that the Academy discusses it regularly in relation to eligibility. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026 No, especially when that same person decides to get on social media and question whether the football program should cut off access to its coaches in relation to a local Lubbock radio station. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Prebisch put forward a theory of economic development that argued that the global economy must be understood as a single, integrated system, in which wealthier and poorer countries were viewed in relation to one another. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 This does not necessarily mean distancing himself from member countries, but rather a different interpretation of the role the British monarch should play in relation to them. — Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in relation to

Rhymes for in relation to

See All Rhymes for in relation to

Browse Nearby Words

in rehearsal
in relation to
in rem
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In relation to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20relation%20to. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All