: a relative by marriage

Examples of in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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While most of these workers are providing eldercare for their own parents, some are caring for in-laws, spouses, partners, siblings, or other aging family members. Michelle Travis, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Police found his wife and in-laws dead in different parts of the store. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 The bond between an immigrant family and their American in-laws is tested when a gun collection mysteriously disappears during a loved one’s funeral reception. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 Its protagonist struggles to raise a mutant creature while also dealing with nattering in-laws and a mundane job. David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for in-law 

Word History

Etymology

mother-in-law, etc.

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in-law was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near in-law

Cite this Entry

“In-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in-law. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

in-law

noun
ˈin-ˌlȯ
: a relative by marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on in-law

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