as in pregnancy
the state of containing unborn young within the body
noticing the telltale bump, we guessed that she was in the family way again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 family way
The family way of basketball spread to Turgeon’s son Will, who grew up in Wichita and on the courts his father coached on.
—
Pj Green
march 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
That was the family way, as Schadt’s great-grandfather, Jacob Heitzman, started the place in 1891.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Jan. 2026
The devastation of the accident affected my family way beyond 1979.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2022
One thing that the proud mom believes helped propel her son to success was the Cochran family way, coined by her father in a book.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 9 Feb. 2022
The devastation of the accident affected my family way beyond 1979.
—Jonathon Berlin, sun-sentinel.com, 21 May 2021
Pj Green
march 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
That was the family way, as Schadt’s great-grandfather, Jacob Heitzman, started the place in 1891.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Jan. 2026
The devastation of the accident affected my family way beyond 1979.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2022
One thing that the proud mom believes helped propel her son to success was the Cochran family way, coined by her father in a book.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 9 Feb. 2022
The devastation of the accident affected my family way beyond 1979.
—Jonathon Berlin, sun-sentinel.com, 21 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family way
Noun
-
Amid her second pregnancy with Prince Harry, Diana attended the festivities with a young William, wearing a quintessential ’80s ensemble.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
There are some positive aspects to Gen Zers’ approach to risky behaviors, such as lower rates of teen pregnancy and a focus on protecting their peace and work-life balance.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The sustained gestation the placenta enabled supported larger, more metabolically expensive brains.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Not that the album had an easy gestation.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Family way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20way. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
