genetic

adjective

ge·net·ic | \ jə-ˈne-tik

variants: or less commonly genetical \ jə-ˈne-ti-kəl

Definition of genetic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something

2a : of, relating to, or involving genetics

b : of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes a genetic disease genetic variation

-genetic

adjective combining form

Definition of -genetic (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : -genic sense 1 organogenetic

2 : -genic sense 2 psychogenetic

Other Words from genetic Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about genetic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for genetic

Synonyms: Adjective

hereditary, heritable, inborn, inheritable, inherited

Antonyms: Adjective

nonhereditary

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective

hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

She was diagnosed with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes a wide range of complex health issues. — Katherine Long, The Seattle Times, "A Kirkland mother’s anguished phone call brings help she never imagined," 9 Dec. 2018 This test is regularly used by couples who are known to be carriers of a genetic disorder. — Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, "What Role Can Genetic Testing Play in IVF and Egg Freezing?," 1 Oct. 2018 There are two main genetic disorders that can cause both visible and microscopic blood in your pee, the Mayo Clinic says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "10 Things That Can Cause Blood in Your Urine," 19 Sep. 2018 In a study published in The Lancet in 2001, 30 subjects with a rare genetic disorder predisposing them to skin cancer applied a lotion with DNA repair enzymes daily for one year. — Allure, "The Skin-Care Glossary: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know," 17 Aug. 2018 Roughly once a day in the United States, a child is born with a fatal genetic disorder that destroys motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. — Meredith Wadman, Science | AAAS, "U.S. Health secretary under pressure to approve screening of newborns for fatal genetic disease," 28 June 2018 One of King’s boyfriends from around that time, the 20-year-old fashion photographer Davide Sorrenti, would die a year later from a genetic blood disorder that was complicated by his heroin use. — New York Times, "Nan Goldin Survived an Overdose to Fight the Opioid Epidemic," 11 June 2018 The success marks the first time a genetic disorder has been partially reversed by such a treatment prior to birth. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "In first, doctors treat rare genetic disorder with an injection in utero," 27 Apr. 2018 When scientists within the FDA advised against the approval of Exondys 51, a drug to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, parents of children with the rare genetic disorder and patients rallied to lobby for it in Washington. — NBC News, "Patient advocacy groups take in millions from drugmakers. Is there a payback?," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.