1
as in grandfathers
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 forerunners
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
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Recent Examples of ancestors
And humans were likely making music before that, based on fossils showing our ancestors had the ability to sing over 530,000 years ago.
—
Justin Pot, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
Pinpointing when mosquitoes shifted their preference to human blood could provide a novel window into the spread of early human ancestors across the globe, according to a new study.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
The tradition of dressing up for the race has been in place since Potts-Joseph’s ancestors were running sleds.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Some futurists compare this development to our primitive ancestors’ discovery of fire.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
This ancient lineage eventually gave rise to the ancestors of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
According to Dakota tradition, Bdote is the place where their earliest ancestors were created by the deity Wakan Tanka.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
The point is to have enough free-ranging bison to provide tribal members with the hunts, the food, and the presence that connect them to their ancestors.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Intelligent, tool-using species — including our direct ancestors — have been around for millions of years.
—Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Justin Pot, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
Pinpointing when mosquitoes shifted their preference to human blood could provide a novel window into the spread of early human ancestors across the globe, according to a new study.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
The tradition of dressing up for the race has been in place since Potts-Joseph’s ancestors were running sleds.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Some futurists compare this development to our primitive ancestors’ discovery of fire.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
This ancient lineage eventually gave rise to the ancestors of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
According to Dakota tradition, Bdote is the place where their earliest ancestors were created by the deity Wakan Tanka.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
The point is to have enough free-ranging bison to provide tribal members with the hunts, the food, and the presence that connect them to their ancestors.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Intelligent, tool-using species — including our direct ancestors — have been around for millions of years.
—Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestors
Noun
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Robert Pelot, the owner of Pelot’s Rexall Pharmacy, said it’s been in his family since one of his great-grandfathers moved to the Bradenton area from Indiana in the late 1800s.—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Is this the noble cause that our grandfathers would have shed their blood for 85 years ago?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These were the forerunners of today’s robots.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And these projects may just be the forerunners.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Maduro, that visibility feels like the realization of his fathers life-long vision.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Dressed in costumes and armed with portable speakers, these fathers have taken over the carpool lane to ensure students, parents, and teachers start their day with a smile.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Longmore noted that some of the complex molecules are thought to be precursors to amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Just as most precursors have done, the PGA gave PTA and his fellow producers Adam Somner and Sara Murphy their Best Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures Award.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The president noted that past military conflicts have dogged his predecessors, mentioning former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and Jimmy Carter’s handling of the Iran hostage crisis.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Prime Minister Takaichi can build on the lengthy, overall successful record of predecessors, including Abe.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ancestors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestors. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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