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
Andrea spends his free time here when not traveling the world performing, while his younger brother Alberto and his family quietly tend to the 300 acres of grain fields, vines, and olive trees, safeguarding the land their ancestors once farmed as sharecroppers.
—
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the staff at the Indian Community School were nurturing and respectful while the students learned about their ancestors' heritage.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Our ancestors, by contrast, practiced crop rotation — planting corn one year, beans or wheat the next — maintaining soil health through diversity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Following in their ancestors’ footsteps, a modern family of witches hone their powers to end the lives of evil men.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Herzog imagines our earliest ancestors might have evinced a similar curiosity about the novel fire-scarred landscape — seeing fire less as a seasonal catastrophe than as a potential caloric windfall.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
But a long time ago, our early-human ancestors were caring for children under decidedly more precarious conditions.
—Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
An international team of paleontologists has gained new insights about human ancestors from the Ledi-Geraru region of Africa.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
This suggested that long ago, ancestors of these two groups hybridized.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the staff at the Indian Community School were nurturing and respectful while the students learned about their ancestors' heritage.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Our ancestors, by contrast, practiced crop rotation — planting corn one year, beans or wheat the next — maintaining soil health through diversity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Following in their ancestors’ footsteps, a modern family of witches hone their powers to end the lives of evil men.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Herzog imagines our earliest ancestors might have evinced a similar curiosity about the novel fire-scarred landscape — seeing fire less as a seasonal catastrophe than as a potential caloric windfall.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
But a long time ago, our early-human ancestors were caring for children under decidedly more precarious conditions.
—Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
An international team of paleontologists has gained new insights about human ancestors from the Ledi-Geraru region of Africa.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
This suggested that long ago, ancestors of these two groups hybridized.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestors
Noun
-
Now a young man, he's recently started a new chapter as an Army private first class and plans to follow in his father's and grandfathers’ military footsteps.—
Susan Young,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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The pride of Santa Elena's silletero families is palpable, with everyone from young children to grandmothers and grandfathers tracing the route of the culminating parade carrying their creations on their backs.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These are men who grew up with fathers who ignored menopause.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Their conversation was not about the character but about fathers.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Events once considered rare—like the 2003 Northeast blackout that hit 50 million people—are now seen as precursors of larger disruptions.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Tarnopolsky recommends against the precursors since much more evidence supports the finished product.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Armor Aluminum frame and glass create a cohesive package that feels well-balanced in the hand, just like the tablets' predecessors.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
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With under four barrels of liquid in the entire release, The BigShǝBàng is even more limited than its 21 and 25 year-old predecessors.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestors. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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