inbred

1 of 2

adjective

in·​bred ˈin-ˈbred How to pronounce inbred (audio)
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 How to pronounce inbred (audio)
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
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
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.
Adjective
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 If your partner comes from an inbred lineage then don't worry about your offspring (at least for genetic reasons). Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013 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 The bluer the diagonal, the more inbred and isolated the population is likely to be. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2012 See all Example Sentences for inbred 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inbred was circa 1592

Dictionary Entries Near inbred

Cite this Entry

“Inbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inbred. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inbred

adjective
in·​bred ˈin-ˈbred How to pronounce inbred (audio)
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 How to pronounce inbred (audio)
: subjected to or produced by inbreeding

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