ANCESTRAL Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

ancestral

adjective

Definition of ancestral

as in historic

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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 ancestral Maria was the eldest daughter of a family with English Protestant roots who owned and lived on a sprawling ancestral property in central Ireland. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 What enters a watershed upstream can affect communities, ecosystems, wildlife and cultural resources downstream — including resources within our ancestral homelands. — Dana Adkins, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 Although the tribe’s ancestral territory in eastern Long Island includes the Hamptons, some of the most valuable real estate in the country, the Montaukett have not made any land claims or requests for compensation. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 Some ancestral lineages diverged roughly 21,000 years ago, according to the review. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestral

Adjective

In September 2026 Huang and a few collaborators uploaded a proof that the historic equations represent a single case of a much grander geometrical theory.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
Days out from the historic vote, the race also has become a new venue for the city’s infamously rough-and-tumble politics.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of historic

Adjective

At The Aster, a boutique hotel and members club in Hollywood, guests can begin the day with classes in the reformer Pilates studio, where old-world dark wood and ornamental columns are paired with high-tech apparatus.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Hiller plays Aldrict, an old-world vampire who has crossed paths with Liz several times over the centuries and is a bit of a troublemaker.

— Peter White, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of old-world

Adjective

There is also concrete poetry—writing arranged in images or geometric forms—a tradition that can be traced to ancient instances of shaped poetry.

— Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
The Roman coin hoard is the latest in a series of ancient discoveries in Sweden.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Maine didn’t have the typical music scenes of the Midwest or West Coast and his old-time hobby of busking felt moot with everyone cooped up inside their homes.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026
The docent, red glasses in hand, slumps against the old-time cannon.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of old-time

Adjective

Meanwhile, in Bar Sur, regional maker Cata Flaño contributed a massive mixed-media mural combining watercolors with local peat, driftwood, and historical navigation charts marked at 55 degrees south.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Rudnitzky said historical developments, the impact of the Oslo Accords and the entry of new Arab representatives into the Knesset contributed to a gradual shift away from Jewish parties, with more Arab voters turning to Arab parties.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of historical

Adjective

Prosecutors say Morgan is also charged as a habitual offender, fourth offense.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of habitual

Browse Nearby Words

ancestors

ancestral

ancestress

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Style

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestral. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancestral

adjective

Example Sentences

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