as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the crime novel, written from the criminal's perspective, is sometimes seen as a particular species of the detective story genus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 genus
For example, lions and tigers are the same genus but different species.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Sharks apart of the Somniosus genus, are also called sleeper sharks, according to IFLScience.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Sedum Sedum, a genus from the succulent family, are not usually grown from seeds.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
This genus contains 120 species, and many of them are not drought-tolerant but demand moist soil, with some growing in shallow water.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genus
Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Sharks apart of the Somniosus genus, are also called sleeper sharks, according to IFLScience.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Sedum Sedum, a genus from the succulent family, are not usually grown from seeds.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
This genus contains 120 species, and many of them are not drought-tolerant but demand moist soil, with some growing in shallow water.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genus
Noun
-
With a $80K base price – the new normal in this SUV category – the 2026 Nissan Armada is ready to ride.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The film picked up two Academy Award nominations, for Wiig and Mumolo's screenplay, and for McCarthy's supporting performance, but lost in both categories.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The family is covering the basic cost of testing materials, but the time spent analyzing the soil has been offered in kind.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
While learning a new skill of any kind is crucial for improving cognitive health, this particular study argues that these birding skills are particularly helpful to the brain due to their complexity.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An endangered species native to West Africa, pygmy hippos typically live in forests and nearby swamps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
La Jolla’s Birch Aquarium aided in its first-ever species reintroduction last year with the mountain yellow-legged frog.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genus. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
