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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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 In astrology, Mercury governs communication, language, ideas and public discourse, while Cancer is associated with memory, ancestry and the past. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 It is believed that around 40% of Americans can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island, according to the National Park Service. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 Some who don’t embrace their Spanish ancestry view those who do as part of the colonizing minority, not the colonized majority. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Neither had any reason to suspect their family tree ran directly into the foundation of the White House — until historians, genealogists and what producers describe as groundbreaking ancestry research brought the line into focus. — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestry

Noun

Ormund’s conviction is complicated by the fact that his most powerful asset, Daeron, is a Targaryen by lineage.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
By placing the Obamas’ story within this lineage, the center makes clear that their journey belonged to a much larger American narrative shaped by generations of leaders and ordinary citizens who came before them.

— Jenan Mohajir, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of lineage

Noun

The case was built by forensic genetic genealogy, which is the same science that traced DNA family trees to find the Golden State Killer in California and help solve the Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin, Texas.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026
Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

Available documents indicate the warrant was related to the traffic case involving his driver’s license, although the extradition file does not specify its exact origin.

— Susana Erazo, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Athena Bitzis, now 54, of Stone Mountain, performed in the opening ceremony, portraying one of the muses in a segment honoring the ancient origins of the Olympic movement.

— Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of origin

Noun

While the injury history certainly remain a concern, what can’t be debated is his pedigree.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
More generally, being bold has also meant respecting Lucero’s international pedigree and allowing a wide range of architectural typologies to take root, from Spanish Colonial-style estates to Miami Beach-modern spec homes.

— Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of pedigree

Noun

Many individuals may unknowingly be entitled to American or Canadian citizenship through birth or descent, a valuable inheritance often overlooked.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
According to Guide to Iceland, Nolan primarily used the country’s dramatic landscapes for the story’s more otherworldly sequences, including Odysseus’ descent into the Underworld and his encounter with the Cyclops.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

The Lee family is mourning Yip Pik Yi, 65; Lee Chun Man, 44; Yan Yan, 15 months; and Erawati, 34, a domestic worker from Indonesia.

— New York Times, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Every day, Cord Shiflet drives 200 miles round trip from Austin, helping survivors tell their stories, connecting them with resources and raising more than $50,000 for affected families through Facebook.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of family

Noun

Retrieve a Golden volunteer Gretchen Austin told WDTV 5 that Skye had been rescued from a commercial breeding facility before joining the Aho family.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
For years, the only factory breeding sterile flies in the Western Hemisphere was in Panama, but the USDA invested $21 million to convert a site in southern Mexico from breeding fruit flies to recently start breeding screwworm flies.

— John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of breeding

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ancestries

ancestry

anchor

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“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestry. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancestry

noun

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