HEREDITY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

heredity

noun

Definition of heredity

as in blood

formal the natural process by which physical and mental qualities are passed from a parent to a child Heredity plays no part in the disease.

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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 heredity To truly understand genes and heredity, researchers had to learn to read the DNA code. — Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025 In short, heredity advancement driven by desire. — D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 For people who are profoundly deaf, there is an interruption of the sound signal to the auditory nerve, which can be caused by illness, trauma, or heredity. — IEEE Spectrum, 27 Jan. 2022 The institution of the caliphate, now based on the twin principles of force and heredity, was further degraded from the middle of the tenth century with the rise of Turko-Persian military fiefdoms. — Mohammed Ayoob, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2016 See All Example Sentences for heredity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heredity

Noun

Investigators looked over the woman’s vehicle and discovered a bullet hole through the passenger-side window and blood in the car.

— Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
He was orphaned at 13 and raised by his brother Frank, an experience that shaped his belief that family is built through showing up for people, not just blood.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of blood

Noun

In 2025, the Medical Examiner’s Office submitted some biological evidence to Othram, a laboratory near Houston, for a forensic genetic genealogy analysis.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026
After 50 years, the case was re-examined by the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, who used advances in forensic science, which included forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

Epicor’s board of directors planned the succession process, beginning with Vohra’s appointment as president in October 2024.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Critics also say the government’s insistence on the male-only succession is an imposition of an inhumane system on the royals without taking into consideration their burden and feelings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of succession

Noun

Ecological mitigation Alongside the fishway, a breeding program at the plant has released nearly 2 million fish into the wild to stabilize populations, which officials report remain steady.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia.

— Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of breeding

Noun

The genetic analyses were restricted to people of European ancestry, limiting how confidently the findings can be applied to other populations.

— The Conversation US, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026
Under a 2026 update to screening guidance, men in higher risk groups, including those of Black ancestry, men with germline mutations and men with a strong family history, may be offered screening as early as ages 40 to 45.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancestry

Noun

When Pogosian set one of his early pendants, a hexagon built around the number six, his lucky number since birth, with black diamonds.

— Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The options for the gender that the respondent currently identifies with that differs from that registered at birth are man, woman, nonbinary, prefer not to answer or another term that the respondent can provide.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of birth

Noun

Fashion, beauty, hospitality, entertainment and luxury are increasingly part of the commercial ecosystem surrounding the sport, while brands including Disney and LEGO are using F1 Academy to reach women, families and younger consumers.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
In the new science-fiction mystery The End of Oak Street, Hathaway stars alongside Ewan McGregor as a couple whose family comes face-to-face with dinosaurs in their neighborhood.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of family

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heredities

heredity

hereinbelow

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Style

“Heredity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heredity. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of heredity

noun

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