ANCESTRY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

ancestry

noun

ˈan-ˌse-strē

Definition of ancestry

as in lineage

the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a Cambodian immigrant who can trace her Khmer ancestry as far back as the 16th century

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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 ancestry But in reality, as scientists started poking large enough collections of data, there were regular hints of some strange ancestry in our genomes. — ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 The August 12 eclipse in Leo kicks off a new story around home, family, legacy, and ancestry. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 Without a mentor to guide him, Aang spends his spare time hunting for Air Nomad relics in an attempt to connect with his ancestry. — Alison Herman, Variety, 24 July 2026 Jost went on to share some fun facts about his wife’s ancestry. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestry

Noun

The fossil indicates that lineages closely related to the Euparkeriidae were also present in South America, highlighting the continent’s role in the early diversification of the relatives of dinosaurs and crocodiles.

— The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
In fact, the book goes on for a bit longer after this conflict is over, continuing to trace the Targaryen lineage.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of lineage

Noun

In 2025, the Medical Examiner’s Office submitted some biological evidence to Othram, a laboratory near Houston, for a forensic genetic genealogy analysis.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026
After 50 years, the case was re-examined by the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, who used advances in forensic science, which included forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Experts suspect the hackers are from China, but neither Taiwan, nor Dream would confirm the origin of the July attacks.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of origin

Noun

Vuskovic is more advanced than most players at his age, despite the absence of any Premier League pedigree.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The Breitling Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 Tribute To Aston Martin DB5 is the second limited edition to come out of the partnership between the two companies, both of which can claim a pedigree that involves James Bond.

— Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of pedigree

Noun

In the second decade of the twentieth century—a period that became known as la Matanza—the killing of residents of Mexican descent was commonplace along the United States’ southern border.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Trump and his allies have used the scheme to target Walz’s Democratic administration and the state’s Somali community, as some of the defendants are of Somali descent.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

Medicaid, the federal-state program that covers healthcare for low-income families, pays for at least 40% of births nationwide.

— Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Roman said the question will be if the defense focuses on their own psychiatric experts right away, or Clancy's friends and family to humanize her to the jurors.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of family

Noun

Ecological mitigation Alongside the fishway, a breeding program at the plant has released nearly 2 million fish into the wild to stabilize populations, which officials report remain steady.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia.

— Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of breeding

Browse Nearby Words

ancestries

ancestry

anchor

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“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestry. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancestry

noun

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