inbred

1 of 2

adjective

in·​bred ˈin-ˈbred 

1

: rooted and ingrained in one's nature as deeply as if implanted by heredity

an inbred love of freedom

2

[from past participle of inbreed] : subjected to or produced by inbreeding

inbred

2 of 2

noun

in·​bred ˈin-ˌbred 

plural inbreds

: a plant or animal produced by inbreeding

It is recommended that only superior horses be used in the practice of inbreeding because inbreds from the same stock will produce an inferior strain if carried on over a prolonged period.

—Philip A. Pines

The result, he thought, of mating two single crosses would combine the outstanding characteristic of four inbreds rather than two and would take advantage of the high yield of the single-cross seed parent.

—William L. Brown

Synonyms

Adjective

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• hereditary
• essential
• inherited

Choose the Right Synonym for inbred

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth.

innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

Examples of inbred in a Sentence

Adjective

They have an inbred love of freedom.

an inbred desire to do good in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There used to be a kind of inbred, incestuous quality to Hollywood that was actually good. —Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025

The book, centered on the lives of strong female characters, intertwines tales of soldiers in the hell of the Vietnam War, a demonic sect of inbred aristocrats, a radio that broadcasts the voice of the dead, and a rags-to-riches story of an influential candlemaker—among others. —Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023

He or she would not even be nominated in today’s political web of self-serving, inbred, power-hungry political party leaders. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022

Some working theories include genetic diseases stemming from his inbred parentage; a chariot accident; and a leg wound infected with malaria. —Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inbred

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

inbred

adjective

in·​bred ˈin-ˈbred 

1

: deeply rooted in a person

an inbred love of freedom

2

: subjected to or produced by inbreeding

Medical Definition

inbred

adjective

in·​bred ˈin-ˈbred 

: subjected to or produced by inbreeding