as in hereditary
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring
heritable characteristics like skin and eye and hair color
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Recent Examples of heritable
It had been established that identical twins are quite a bit more similar in their IQ than fraternal twins and that intelligence differences are heritable in a limited statistical sense.
—
Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
This is most likely due to heritable genetic factors.3
IgA nephropathy does not have a single-gene inheritance pattern, though.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 Oct. 2025
Genetics play a significant role as well, as research shows that heritable factors account for about 40% to 60% of a person’s risk for developing BPD.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
She and American Eagle also have been accused of promoting eugenics, the manipulation of reproduction in the human population to increase heritable characteristics that are more desirable.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
This is most likely due to heritable genetic factors.3
IgA nephropathy does not have a single-gene inheritance pattern, though.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 12 Oct. 2025
Genetics play a significant role as well, as research shows that heritable factors account for about 40% to 60% of a person’s risk for developing BPD.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
She and American Eagle also have been accused of promoting eugenics, the manipulation of reproduction in the human population to increase heritable characteristics that are more desirable.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heritable
Adjective
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In most people with hereditary ALS, their children have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2026
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In 1999, the Labour government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair evicted most of the more than 750 hereditary peers, though to avoid an aristocrats’ rebellion, 92 were allowed to remain temporarily.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps, researchers have speculated, genes on the X chromosome don’t transfer well between species, or Neanderthal genetic variants on the X chromosome were disadvantageous in some way to human variants and were therefore gradually eliminated by the evolutionary process of natural selection.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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The medieval goats showed more varied genetic profiles, while old Irish Goats living today show clear signs of inbreeding that are linked to a dramatic population drop in recent years.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As more families pass down or part with inherited pieces, the resale market has become increasingly saturated.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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Genetic screening for conditions like bipolar disorder and kidney disease reveals inherited risks, but no test reliably predicts genetic age.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Dias, on behalf of Owens’ estate, is seeking compensation for the past and future mental pain and suffering of Owens’ minor children, expenses of medical care and funeral arrangements arising from Owens’ death, loss of Owens’ prospective earnings and loss of inheritable estate.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
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Citizenship strategy has moved from a fringe consideration to standard practice among high-net-worth families, with parents and grandparents increasingly viewing passports as a form of inheritable wealth.—
Alex Ohnona,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Guess for some of us, strength of character truly is tied to presidential policies and their inherent results after all.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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And, despite their inherent plushness, the towels don’t feel weighed down after use.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heritable. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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