as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
his family tree includes writers, musical composers, and other notables in the arts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of family tree
The Oscar-winning actress and former Vogue editor-in-chief are related, according to an analysis of family trees and public records done by DNA testing company Ancestry.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Look through your family tree for inspiration, or even check public directories for gender-neutral last names.
—Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
Art Rooney and the Birth of the Steelers On the other side of the family tree stands Art (1901–1988), who established the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933 and remained closely involved with the franchise and the league until his death in 1988.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Experts built an entire family tree, dating back to the 1700s.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family tree
Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Look through your family tree for inspiration, or even check public directories for gender-neutral last names.
—Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
Art Rooney and the Birth of the Steelers On the other side of the family tree stands Art (1901–1988), who established the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933 and remained closely involved with the franchise and the league until his death in 1988.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Experts built an entire family tree, dating back to the 1700s.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family tree
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family tree
Noun
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In this full-length interview, geneticist David Reich explains how new findings have challenged the family tree model of ancestry and revealed a past shaped by migration, interbreeding, disappearance, and constant change.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
21 Apr. 2026
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Drawing on data from 26,000 people on the continent and some 80,000 of African ancestry elsewhere, researchers found new genetic variants driving chronic kidney disease, offering potential targets for future drugs or diagnostic tools.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Cocaine picks up in the city’s historic lineage right around the time Tammany Hall ends.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
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Przewalski's horses are known as the last surviving lineage of true wild horses.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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So far, about 50 people have applied to have their families’ mysteries solved, and 12 cases are actively being researched by the team, which includes volunteers, said a representative for the Center for Jewish History, where the genealogy institute is housed.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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Not having followed the same historical trajectory, Wichí textiles have a nonlinear genealogy of their own—one that does not attempt to justify its value by tying itself to modernist abstraction.—
María Carri,
Artforum,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Word of Smith’s death had shattered his family, especially his father, who can’t believe his son is gone.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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At least, that’s the story his family has always told him.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While the Queen was deeply involved in breeding and racing, Anne became an accomplished equestrian in her own right, even competing in the Olympic Games in 1976.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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As part of the breeding program, he will be replaced by two young gorillas in the spring.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The horror film, which is directed by James Watkins, will track the origins of the shape-shifting villain, played by Tom Rhys Harries.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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That entity’s origins have something to do with the Church located in the repressed, religious suburb Naim’s (Bird) just moved to with his mother, played by the brilliant Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That pedigree runs throughout their organization.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
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Kawhi Leonard, who has his own championship pedigree – NBA titles with San Antonio and Toronto and two Finals MVP awards – lauded the Warriors’ defense.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 1943, the United States government administered a questionnaire to people of Japanese descent who had been confined to wartime concentration camps in California, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Arkansas.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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All of these Les Lalanne pieces belong to the collection of Jean and Terry de Gunzburg — Jean is a Canadian of French aristocratic descent and a Bronfman of the Seagram’s empire; Terry was the creative director of YSL beauty.—
David Lê,
Curbed,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Family tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20tree. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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