in-law

noun

ˈin-ˌlȯ How to pronounce in-law (audio)
Synonyms of in-lawnext
: a relative by marriage

Examples of in-law 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.
Hamner’s in-laws have a family hunting camp that killed fifty in one week this past fall. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Both his grandmother and mother worked as teachers, and now, Hutter, his wife, his cousin and two siblings-in-law have followed in their footsteps. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 See how designer Hattie Sparks Collins gave her in-laws' new build to a sunny dose of gathering-place nostalgia. — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 In that same year, however, public tax filings show that the nonprofit paid thousands and thousands of dollars to Preston's family, including in-laws. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for in-law

Word History

Etymology

mother-in-law, etc.

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in-law was in 1892

Rhymes for in-law

See All Rhymes for in-law

Browse Nearby Words

inlaut
in-law
in-law apartment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in-law. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

in-law

noun
ˈin-ˌlȯ
: a relative by marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on in-law

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for in-law

Nglish: Translation of in-law for Spanish Speakers

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