as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a family of good breeding that is well respected in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reproducing
to bring forth offspring
rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in raising
to bring to maturity through care and education
he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in planting
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of breeding
Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adventure World has been involved in the protection and breeding of giant pandas in both Japan and China for more than 30 years, per its website.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
But in the 1950s, the Ecke family began modernizing breeding so that the plant was more suited to growing in containers.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Noun
With 100,000 seabirds in residence during nesting season, Lady Elliot is one of the reef’s most important breeding sites.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adventure World has been involved in the protection and breeding of giant pandas in both Japan and China for more than 30 years, per its website.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
This spotting confirms to conservationists that the elusive species is breeding successfully in southern Thailand.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
But in the 1950s, the Ecke family began modernizing breeding so that the plant was more suited to growing in containers.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breeding
Noun
-
Most of these acquisitions occurred during a relatively narrow window in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, some 140 million years ago, just before many major lineages began to diverge quickly (in evolutionary terms, anyway).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Images of Marie Antoinette, alongside photographs of Russian Jewish women in the early 20th century, place contemporary practice with the long lineage of the spiritual practice.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have unlocked a potential new treatment to target an incurable form of childhood cancer with the help of a fast-reproducing pest known for swarming kitchen produce.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The motif showcases the stories of the family that previously lived at the palace — often reproducing animals such as eagles, lions, dogs, peacocks and griffins.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
As chants echoed across the parking lot, cars driving past honked repeatedly, some drivers raising fists or waving through open windows.—
Reginald David,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Beijing last year implemented some export controls on rare earths during trade spats, raising concerns about America’s lack of secure supply chains for these critical materials.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the shoulder pads add structure to the piece, creating a sophisticated look and a balanced shape from top to bottom.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Mop the area, allowing at least an hour of drying time before replacing the appliance to ensure lingering moisture is not trapped, creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For best results, choose a rich potting mix and amend garden soil with compost before planting.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When planting pea seeds, proper soil preparation is essential.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Clan Buchanan, which is estimated to have 5 million members worldwide claiming common ancestry, has been without a chief for more than 300 years after the last one died out without a male heir.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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And her mother, who is still a working actor, is from a Jewish background with Polish ancestry.—
Louis Staples,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Robinhood is known for propagating meme-stock mania, making its founders billionaires, and changing how Americans invest.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Torres Maczassek and her brother, Miguel, are considered leaders in climate-change response, including uncovering and re-propagating nearly extinct grape varieties that may fare better in extreme heat and drought.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breeding. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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