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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ancestors
This is where our ancestors died protecting a way of life.
—
Richard B. Williams, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
By this time, humans had arrived in North America, likely via the same Bering Land Bridge used by the lions’ ancestors.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In Rea Rasmussen's case, the process took 18 months and required building genealogical connections back to ancestors born in the 1780s.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Coco The Day of the Dead is about honoring your ancestors, and Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) wants to do just that.
—Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Growing up in America, most of us don’t have a deep connection to our ancestors.
—Big Think, 4 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
Richard B. Williams, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
By this time, humans had arrived in North America, likely via the same Bering Land Bridge used by the lions’ ancestors.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In Rea Rasmussen's case, the process took 18 months and required building genealogical connections back to ancestors born in the 1780s.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Coco The Day of the Dead is about honoring your ancestors, and Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) wants to do just that.
—Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Growing up in America, most of us don’t have a deep connection to our ancestors.
—Big Think, 4 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
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
-
Male dogs aren't exactly doting fathers.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Brett Eagleson and Elizabeth Miller both lost their fathers in the attack.—
September 11,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And the precursors for that reality may already be in motion, Metzger noted.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
While every relationship faces challenges, certain patterns consistently appear as precursors to deeper dysfunction.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With all of the appeal of a hiking boot in a smaller, lighter form factor, these Danner Trail 2650s pay homage to their beefier boot predecessors, just with some additional modern touches.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
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On the other hand, the new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models have a camera island that stretches across the entire top, back side of the phone as well as a new unibody frame that makes the phones feel both more robust and larger than their predecessors.—
Bob O’Donnell,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestors. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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