1
as in grandfather
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
Bridie's Irish ancestors immigrated to the United States in the 19th century during the Great Potato Famine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
pinball machines—the ancestors of today's video games—go back to the 19th century
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 ancestor
This time, Moana embarks on a trip to connect those from all the islands whose ancestors, according to legend, were separated by the malicious storm god Nalo.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Today, California’s wild pigs are often hybrids, with both domestic pig and European wild boar ancestors.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
Now is the time to stand up for every American’s First Amendment right to tell their story, to dissent from the government’s world view, to celebrate the resilience and fortitude of ancestors who fought for their rights and their culture in this country.
—John Leguizamo, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
Names carry the legacy of our ancestors, the history of our culture, and the desires of our parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Today, California’s wild pigs are often hybrids, with both domestic pig and European wild boar ancestors.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
Now is the time to stand up for every American’s First Amendment right to tell their story, to dissent from the government’s world view, to celebrate the resilience and fortitude of ancestors who fought for their rights and their culture in this country.
—John Leguizamo, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
Names carry the legacy of our ancestors, the history of our culture, and the desires of our parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestor
Noun
-
His first experiences of racing came from watching the Tour de France with his grandfather.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
To the uncles and grandfathers and father figures, too.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
This is, in part, explained by the institutional memory of the competition’s forerunner — the Intercontinental Cup — and the legendary battles of a bygone era.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Another forerunner of today’s scene is Ansedonia, a hillside community of upscale homes near Capalbio that in the 1960s became popular with creative types from the Italian capital.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the future, Lisa serves as commissioner of the NBA, and Bart runs a retirement home where their widowed father Homer resides.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
26 June 2025
-
But in her 20s, Mariska became aware, independently, that her biological father was an Italian nightclub entertainer named Nelson Sardelli.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Cravats were a precursor to the modern necktie, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century.—
Kristopher Fraser,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
-
Real Madrid were among the favorites to win the first-of-its-kind tournament, which is a precursor to next year’s FIFA World Cup.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Times staff writer Lila Seidman reports that a May 27 legal opinion by President Trump’s DOJ overturns a more than 80-year-old Justice Department determination that presidents can’t revoke national monuments created by their predecessors under the Antiquities Act.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
-
Mousavi was appointed the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces after the Israelis killed his predecessor, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, last week.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
By 2019, his startup team had built a prototype and launched a DTC subscription model, pairing a predictable market with luxury branding.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Seed funding from investors, accelerators, or venture funds helps founders take the first critical steps: building a prototype, hiring that first team member, or testing their idea in the real world.—
Rob Zielonka,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestor. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share