family

noun

ˈfam-lē How to pronounce family (audio)
Definition of familynext
1
as in clan
a group of persons who come from the same ancestor the Adams family made remarkable contributions to American life for more than two centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kind
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the flute, the clarinet, the oboe, and other members of the woodwind family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 family Chad Gable and Penta shook hands as Gable’s family watched from ringside. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 In the cold light of day, though, Helaena has grown wary of her family’s dragon obsession. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 The trip was Tal's first extended journey without his family. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 No family references existed in the databases to make a DNA match, so the case went cold again. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family
  1. clan
  2. kind
  3. house
  4. category
  5. tribe
  6. group
  7. folks
  8. people
Noun
  • Though another fox clan ultimately adopts him, their care feels like only a temporary reprieve from advancing human nihilism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This large family group, including dozens of women and children from the Hassayna and Abu Sharia clan in Gaza City, died nearly three years ago.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • In 2022, 36 people were killed, 24 of them children, in a massacre at a childcare center in the northeast, believed to be the country’s deadliest incident of its kind.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Although the theme of the original scam message used in the WhatsApp attack will vary, it will always be related to an online voting request for a contest of some kind.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • By chance, her parents and her sister had left the house just three days before the strike, because her mother couldn’t sleep.
    — Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Games such as pickleball and activities like walking groups get people out of the house, combat isolation and keep both the body and mind engaged, O’Sullivan explained.
    — Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Since 2020, inflation for transformers and power regulators has surged the second most of all 47 categories that the Bureau of Labor Statistics measures in its monthly Producer Price Index, a gauge of wholesale inflation.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Disney says that 58 brands across 34 different categories have bought time during the game, with nine brands advertising for the first time.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • Tribal governments, whose compacts trade exclusivity for revenue shares, have their own version of the grievance, which is why four New Mexico tribes sued Kalshi in May on sovereignty grounds.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But the department has been running into opposition by landowners, environmental groups, Native American tribes and others who argue that the rapid construction endangers environmental and religious sites and a way of life along the border.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribe
Noun
  • According to Illinois State Board of Elections records, the law group contributed $15,000 to Benton’s campaign in 2024 before his reelection that November.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Armed groups, known as bandits in Nigeria, regularly carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central parts of the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of group
Noun
  • Soon, the Toupses began feeding employees’ friends and families who were also struggling, and as word spread, more folks in need started reaching out.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Food people are normally a raucous, emotive bunch, but there was a tightness in the air as folks arrived and took their seats.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of folks
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people

Phrases Containing family

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families
family
family doctor
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Cite this Entry

“Family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on family

Nglish: Translation of family for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about family

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