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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ancestor
But the lake has steadily expanded, swallowing homes, grazing lands, schools, roads and the burial grounds where Lenkutuk's ancestors were laid to rest.
—
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
In an interview with PA Local (via BCTV), Brian Knoebel recalled how Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg came to be after his ancestors — farmers who had Christmas trees and animals — came over from Germany and bought a plot of land.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
In her book Fresh Banana Leaves, Indigenous scientist and scholar Jessica Hernandez meditates on the meaning of the banana plant within the ecologies of her ancestors across what is now Mexico and El Salvador.
—Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Some modern hijras regard the khwajasaras as their ancestors, and some communities in Pakistan have adopted khwajasara as their preferred terminology.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
In an interview with PA Local (via BCTV), Brian Knoebel recalled how Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg came to be after his ancestors — farmers who had Christmas trees and animals — came over from Germany and bought a plot of land.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
In her book Fresh Banana Leaves, Indigenous scientist and scholar Jessica Hernandez meditates on the meaning of the banana plant within the ecologies of her ancestors across what is now Mexico and El Salvador.
—Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Some modern hijras regard the khwajasaras as their ancestors, and some communities in Pakistan have adopted khwajasara as their preferred terminology.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestor
Noun
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The young Khomeini, who doesn’t hold a government position, spoke at the main ceremony commemorating his great grandfather’s death 37 years ago.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
Owner Ray Biggerstaff announced his retirement, signaling the end of an era for the company founded in 1948 by his grandfather, Raymond Biggerstaff.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Noun
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In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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While Bass remains widely viewed as the forerunner, recent polling suggests the race might be tightening heading into the final days before the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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San Antonio's roster, meanwhile, features another son of a longtime pro in Dylan Harper, whose father, Ron, won five NBA championships in the span of six seasons with Chicago and the Lakers.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Besides Dara’s statement, what TJ says about his own father sheds some light on West.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Tort claims are typically filed as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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But the true precursor to the UFC Octagon might be the wrestling cage.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The alternative asset manager said that Blackstone Capital Partners Asia III exceeded its $10 billion target, with the fund raising more than double the amount of its predecessor vehicle.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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Lula, on track for reelection in October polls, vowed to stem deforestation after logging soared under his rightist predecessor, who sought to curry favor with Brazil’s powerful farming firms.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The prototype was integrated with low-loss superconducting windings, a novel brushless starting mechanism, and internal cryogenic cooling that functions while spinning.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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Inspired by wetland plants like mangroves, 12-year-old Ella Barth and Esme Tsai’s prototype glass funnel uses layers of coffee filter paper, gravel, sand, ion exchange resin, charcoal and cotton, mimicking a natural filtration process to help rid local tap water of its chalky taste.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestor. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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