as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a family of good breeding that is well respected in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reproducing
to bring forth offspring
rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in raising
to bring to maturity through care and education
he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in planting
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of breeding
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026
Decades of dedicated breeding have produced nearly 100,000 different varieties of daylily (Hemerocallis).
—Ann Hinga Klein, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The falcons have been breeding successfully at the basilica for over two decades.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Noun
Ridglan and a special prosecutor reached a plea agreement requiring the lab to give up its commercial dog-breeding and seller’s license by July 1 to avoid criminal animal-cruelty charges.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026
Decades of dedicated breeding have produced nearly 100,000 different varieties of daylily (Hemerocallis).
—Ann Hinga Klein, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026
Verb
This was done using Sterile Fly Technique, which involves breeding millions of male flies in specialized facilities, sterilizing them with gamma radiation, then dropping them from the air like bombs.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The falcons have been breeding successfully at the basilica for over two decades.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breeding
Noun
-
Across 45 panels, the cabin traces the Phantom’s lineage—from its origin story to famous owners to landmark moments—while the Starlight headliner adds still more references.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
-
The government says the reviews are not citizenship revocations, but rather a re-examination of applications that may lack sufficient proof of lineage.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
What online scammers are looking to steal The FBI issued a warning last month that cybercriminals are manipulating or reproducing the official FIFA World Cup website to scam fans who are looking for tickets, hospitality packages, merchandise, streaming access and betting opportunities.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
While the sterile insect release method relies primarily on sterile males reproducing with wild females, sterile male and female flies are often released at once for practical reasons.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The miscommunications have once again put the majority leader in a difficult position, raising questions about why the president seems intent on making his life more difficult.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Gordon said in kicking off his comments and raising a hand to reveal a rubber finger pad.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
If a bear is calmly minding its own business 100 yards away, leave it alone and continue creating distance.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is due to become a father for the first time while the World Cup is still on and wants to be at the birth, creating a potential dilemma for the team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Ridgetop is a larger option, sleeping up to 18 guests with six bathrooms as well as six private bedrooms, each sleeping up to three people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Franklin says warning signs of caregiver strain can include chronic fatigue, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping and emotional withdrawal.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, whoever had previously owned the place wasn't just planting crops.—
Jacqueline Goldblatt,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2026
-
Plant Varieties With Different Bloom Times There are early, mid-season, and late peony cultivars, and planting some of each type stretches the peony bloom up to several weeks.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Nearly 90% of Argentines have some sort of European ancestry.—
Jenna Thompson
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
The games also provide an opportunity for children of immigrants to connect with their roots and proudly tout their ancestry.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The young tender stems are also perfect for propagating.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
-
Aloe vera is a plant best reserved for propagating through offshoots.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breeding. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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