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
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Recent Examples of ancestry
Researchers traced the woman’s ancestry to several families spread across two states in southern Mexico, the company said in a news release.
—
Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Redditors were quick to joke about the pup’s surprising ancestry.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
This season, stars including America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth, Spike Lee, Lizzo, Brittney Griner and Darren Criss get to learn about their ancestry — and Gates delivers some major revelations.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
In the same speech in which Vance connected American identity to ancestry, the vice president also defended some immigrants.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestry
Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Redditors were quick to joke about the pup’s surprising ancestry.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
This season, stars including America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth, Spike Lee, Lizzo, Brittney Griner and Darren Criss get to learn about their ancestry — and Gates delivers some major revelations.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
In the same speech in which Vance connected American identity to ancestry, the vice president also defended some immigrants.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestry
Noun
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According to The New York Times, their family lineage traces back to General Lew Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and former United States Minister to France Gouverneur Morris.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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The preference for sons is rooted in a patriarchal structure where boys are expected to carry on the family lineage, inherit property, and perform essential last rites for their parents.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The genealogy session is one of the most healing parts of the program, Harris said.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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Onduto was identified as Matea’s mother through genetic genealogy, the same technique famously used to catch the Golden State Killer, whereby police use public databases to find relatives of a suspect.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After verifying the origins of the different packages, the exhibition manager agreed with the transportation company that the delivery would be signed for, ahead of the unpackaging of the pieces the following Monday.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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There was no invoice showing the origin of the 10 sweet merengues at the front counter.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Each is expected to hammer down for six figures, with the high pre-sale estimates reflecting their incredible pedigree and provenance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
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Lammens eventually left Brugge in the summer of 2023 with four first-team appearances under his belt, recognising his opportunities would be limited for as long as a goalkeeper of Mignolet’s pedigree was first choice.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who is of Samoan descent, wore a traditional Samoan Ula Fala necklace, a symbol of love, leadership and well wishes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
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While the Venezuelan crisis has had ripple effects throughout the region because of the exodus of over seven million people, Venezuela’s descent into a full dictatorship without much pushback from other Latin American leaders comes as little surprise.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For a more glamorous view, try the deck outside Cappuccino Palau March, a cafe across the street from the Palau Reial de l’Almudaina, a historic palace of the Spanish royal family (admission, €7).—
Emilio Parra Doiztua,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Authorities have expedited the process by getting DNA samples from family members who lost loved ones, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ghost, who will turn two on October 27, was born blind and deaf due to bad breeding practices, which his owners are working to raise awareness of.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Both species of sparrows return to their more northern summer breeding habitats starting in late April.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestry. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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