ANCESTRY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

ancestry

noun

ˈan-ˌse-strē

Definition of ancestry

as in lineage

the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a Cambodian immigrant who can trace her Khmer ancestry as far back as the 16th century

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ancestry The genetic analyses were restricted to people of European ancestry, limiting how confidently the findings can be applied to other populations. — The Conversation Us, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026 Under a 2026 update to screening guidance, men in higher risk groups, including those of Black ancestry, men with germline mutations and men with a strong family history, may be offered screening as early as ages 40 to 45. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 This technique overcomes limitations of older methods like genotyping arrays, which were often biased towards European ancestries and less accurate. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 But in reality, as scientists started poking large enough collections of data, there were regular hints of some strange ancestry in our genomes. — ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestry

Noun

Known as the Womack Sisters, BG, Zeimani and Kucha, come from an illustrious musical lineage.

— Morena Duwe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Following the lineage, that meant that Charles’ kids would also have royal titles.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of lineage

Noun

In 2025, the Medical Examiner’s Office submitted some biological evidence to Othram, a laboratory near Houston, for a forensic genetic genealogy analysis.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026
After 50 years, the case was re-examined by the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, who used advances in forensic science, which included forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Experts suspect the hackers are from China, but neither Taiwan, nor Dream would confirm the origin of the July attacks.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of origin

Noun

Early life and family Thiam was born in Côte d’Ivoire, the youngest of seven children in a family with a political pedigree.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
In the end, though, most families prioritize price and proximity over pedigree.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of pedigree

Noun

In the second decade of the twentieth century—a period that became known as la Matanza—the killing of residents of Mexican descent was commonplace along the United States’ southern border.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Trump and his allies have used the scheme to target Walz’s Democratic administration and the state’s Somali community, as some of the defendants are of Somali descent.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

Medicaid, the federal-state program that covers healthcare for low-income families, pays for at least 40% of births nationwide.

— Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Roman said the question will be if the defense focuses on their own psychiatric experts right away, or Clancy's friends and family to humanize her to the jurors.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of family

Noun

The area supports mangroves and seagrass beds that provide food, shelter and breeding habitat.

— Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Many research dogs come from commercial breeding facilities regulated under the federal Animal Welfare Act as well as state animal-welfare and licensing laws.

— Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of breeding

Browse Nearby Words

ancestries

ancestry

anchor

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“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestry. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancestry

noun

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