incestuous

[ in-ses-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. involving incest.
2. guilty of incest.
3. being so close or intimate as to prevent proper functioning:

   an incestuous relationship between organized crime and government.

incestuous

/ ɪnˈsɛstjʊəs /

adjective

1. relating to or involving incest

   an incestuous union

2. guilty of incest
3. obsolete.
   resulting from incest

   an incestuous bastard

4. resembling incest in excessive or claustrophobic intimacy

Derived Forms

• inˈcestuously, adverb
• inˈcestuousness, noun

Other Words From

• in·cestu·ous·ly adverb
• in·cestu·ous·ness noun
• nonin·cestu·ous adjective
• nonin·cestu·ous·ly adverb
• nonin·cestu·ous·ness noun
• unin·cestu·ous adjective
• unin·cestu·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incestuous¹

1525–35; < Late Latin incestuōsus, equivalent to Latin incestu- stem of incestus incest + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Did Lyle assault Erik and did they have an incestuous relationship?

From Los Angeles Times

"Monsters" sparked outrage amongst many viewers after its debut for an incestuous subplot.

From Salon

However, as the reviews of "Monsters" begin to pour in, some viewers have hit out at its portrayal of Erik and Lyle — namely, its suggestion that the brothers had some sort of incestuous relationship.

From Salon

Pollsters and our national press—incestuous in their relationships—will never recover from the shock of so egregiously missing the 2016 grassroots appeal of Trump.

From Salon

"In that regard, it is telling that the article in the New York Post only appeared after Ms. Habba’s own statement to the media last weekend where she claimed that only after trial concluded did she learn that Your Honor and I both previously worked at Paul, Weiss, referring to a 'conflict of interest' that is 'insane and so incestuous,'" Roberta Kaplan added.

From Salon

Related Words

• carnal