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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genus
Giardia is a genus of microscopic parasites that frequently cause outbreaks of diarrhea to this day.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Similar events elsewhere have involved parasitic ciliates in the genus ‘Philaster’.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
The new research, Spoor said, challenged that line of scientific thought; our own genus, Homo, might not have descended directly from Lucy’s species.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
The plant is now part of the Thismia genus—a group of plants that are notable for not using sunlight and photosynthesis for energy production, but instead rely on a parasitic relationship with underground fungi to survive.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Similar events elsewhere have involved parasitic ciliates in the genus ‘Philaster’.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
The new research, Spoor said, challenged that line of scientific thought; our own genus, Homo, might not have descended directly from Lucy’s species.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
The plant is now part of the Thismia genus—a group of plants that are notable for not using sunlight and photosynthesis for energy production, but instead rely on a parasitic relationship with underground fungi to survive.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genus
Noun
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To monitor how the tax revenue is being spent, periodic audits for each of the three categories of uses will be required, with the first of those due in 2029.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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This is the only new Bilt card that offers bonus rewards categories.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Under that proposal, liquor stores, vape shops, pawn shops and payday lenders would have to be 1,000 feet from an existing business of the same kind, either in a direct line or through an intersection.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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In 2023, the Manteca Chief of Police crafted a first-of-its-kind local ordinance specifically to stop swerving.—
Tori Apodaca,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In California, wolves are protected by both the federal and state endangered species acts.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Once plentiful, the population crashed beginning in the 1940s before they were added to the endangered species list in 1970.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Miami Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genus. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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