as in gifts
something that is or may be inherited
Her watch is a family heirloom.
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Recent Examples of heirlooms
Fine China China and dishware are among the most common heirlooms passed down through families, and they're often displayed in a hutch, likely gathering dust.
—
Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
The high-value heirlooms underscore that Dunn’s Attic isn’t your typical thrift store of second-hand donations or a rummage sale’s random assortment.
—Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
While a statement-making Mind the Gap wallpaper featuring Hindu goddesses transforms the powder room into a vibrant tribute to Rai and her partner’s Indian heritage, displayed alongside family heirlooms.
—Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Bridgerton treats it as though every woman got multiples of their yearbook photo to hand around as headshots, and Benedict’s taking what would have been treasured personal heirlooms and just shuffling through them and tossing out anyone with the wrong hair color.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Multiple varieties of sweet peas, many of them heirlooms, are available to order from the site.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
While the design set never stopped talking about antiques and heirlooms, for the average person, those items seemed out of reach, or at least aspirational.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
Except for a few family heirlooms and some small dressers from IKEA and West Elm, nearly everything in their condo is thrifted.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Bespoke kilt maker Andrea Chappell of Acme Atelier in Moray makes modern heirlooms with deadstock fabrics, using a traditional hand-stitching method now listed as an endangered craft.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
The high-value heirlooms underscore that Dunn’s Attic isn’t your typical thrift store of second-hand donations or a rummage sale’s random assortment.
—Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
While a statement-making Mind the Gap wallpaper featuring Hindu goddesses transforms the powder room into a vibrant tribute to Rai and her partner’s Indian heritage, displayed alongside family heirlooms.
—Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Bridgerton treats it as though every woman got multiples of their yearbook photo to hand around as headshots, and Benedict’s taking what would have been treasured personal heirlooms and just shuffling through them and tossing out anyone with the wrong hair color.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Multiple varieties of sweet peas, many of them heirlooms, are available to order from the site.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
While the design set never stopped talking about antiques and heirlooms, for the average person, those items seemed out of reach, or at least aspirational.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
Except for a few family heirlooms and some small dressers from IKEA and West Elm, nearly everything in their condo is thrifted.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Bespoke kilt maker Andrea Chappell of Acme Atelier in Moray makes modern heirlooms with deadstock fabrics, using a traditional hand-stitching method now listed as an endangered craft.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heirlooms
gifts
Noun
-
Perfect for the birthdays or any celebration, these gifts capture the wonder and nostalgia that only Disney can deliver.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
One of her weirdest gifts to rock & roll culture has turned out to be one of her most enduring — a T-shirt.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heirlooms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heirlooms. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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