1
as in grandfather
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
Bridie's Irish ancestors immigrated to the United States in the 19th century during the Great Potato Famine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
pinball machines—the ancestors of today's video games—go back to the 19th century
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ancestor
The Seders take participants through the wondrous liberation of our ancestors from Egyptian bondage, while sharing the relevance and beauty of the age-old festival in our modern lives.
—
Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
My ancestors were people who fought for their beliefs.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
And that’s exciting for artists who make music in a way that utilizes the superpowers and traditions and lineages that have been left by our ancestors for hundreds of years.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In Korean tradition, Jesa is an ancestor-honoring ceremony, usually performed on the anniversary of a death.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
My ancestors were people who fought for their beliefs.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
And that’s exciting for artists who make music in a way that utilizes the superpowers and traditions and lineages that have been left by our ancestors for hundreds of years.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In Korean tradition, Jesa is an ancestor-honoring ceremony, usually performed on the anniversary of a death.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestor
Noun
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The Democratic Party’s shift since JFK What would his grandfather make of all this?—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Trump’s own paternal grandfather, Friedrich, originally came from Germany in 1885.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Also like its forerunner, HBO’s latest ends each episode at a moment of peak tension.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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These were the forerunners of today’s robots.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her father, Ken, also had a big hand in developing her career.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Kevin MacEgan said his father’s honor, wisdom, kindness and character will serve as his lasting legacy.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nanjiani steered the audience through the tie in the Live-Action Short category as calmly and confidently as a pilot navigating turbulence, and in the process probably bumped up his stock as a host for the precursor circuit.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Online reaction to the latest cease-and-desist letter sent to Campbell largely questioned why Kirk and TPUSA have not filed suit instead of issuing multiple letters, which are typically seen as a precursor to litigation.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the outfield, 33-year-old Nimmo has been replaced by Carson Benge, the club’s top position player prospect who is a decade younger than his predecessor.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
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Gene Bartow lasted only two seasons, went 27-5 and made the Final Four his first season before losing to undefeated Indiana in the national semifinal, but did not handle the comparisons with his predecessor very well.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One afternoon in late summer, Wright pulled up his personal Proxi prototype.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Regularly exhibited as a prototype at construction fairs, Tiny House Shadow has made a remarkable entrance on the market.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestor. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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