family way

noun

Definition of family waynext
as in pregnancy
the state of containing unborn young within the body noticing the telltale bump, we guessed that she was in the family way again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 way The family way of basketball spread to Turgeon’s son Will, who grew up in Wichita and on the courts his father coached on. — Pj Green march 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026 That was the family way, as Schadt’s great-grandfather, Jacob Heitzman, started the place in 1891. — Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Jan. 2026 One thing that the proud mom believes helped propel her son to success was the Cochran family way, coined by her father in a book. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 9 Feb. 2022 The devastation of the accident affected my family way beyond 1979. — Jonathon Berlin, sun-sentinel.com, 21 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family way
  1. pregnancy
  2. gestation
Noun
  • In Hrubec’s mice, however, fetuses with deformities of the brain and spine were dying early in the pregnancy and disappearing.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The crucible of childbirth is often spoken of as transformative, the self-sacrifice of pregnancy as part of becoming a parent.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pregnancy
Noun
  • Applegate delivered her daughter on May 29 at 23 weeks and 2 days of gestation, with the newborn weighing a little over 1 lb.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • While there are various causes, many miscarriages occur because the unborn baby does not develop properly during gestation.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of gestation

Browse Nearby Words

family trees
family way
famine
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Cite this Entry

“Family way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20way. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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