kinship

noun

kin·​ship ˈkin-ˌship How to pronounce kinship (audio)
Synonyms of kinship
: the quality or state of being kin : relationship

Synonyms of kinship

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Examples of kinship in a Sentence

He feels a strong kinship with other survivors of the war. feelings of kinship between the team's players and their fans
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.
Carrington in particular models what some have termed an ecofeminist approach, one that does not appropriate animals for the artist’s own self-revelation but instead develops kinship across species. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Many here say that, despite Iceland’s European roots, the country feels just as much kinship with the United States – if not more. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 His vibrant personality has brought energy and juice to the locker room and allowed for an immediate kinship with Jackson and the team’s offensive stars. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Noisemaker feels a genuine kinship with the Gallico story, including its setting, a desolate stretch of coastline in eastern England. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kinship

Word History

Etymology

see kin entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kinship was in 1833

Rhymes for kinship

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Browse Nearby Words

Kinshasa
kinship
kinship system
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Cite this Entry

“Kinship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinship. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kinship

noun
kin·​ship ˈkin-ˌship How to pronounce kinship (audio)
: the quality or state of being kin : relationship

More from Merriam-Webster on kinship

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kinship

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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