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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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 His second album, Baby—a meditation on heredity, shredded and reconstituted in a $10 DJ program—was released to rapturous acclaim in August. — Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for heredity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heredity

Noun

After being implanted beneath the skin of their backs, the tissues developed their own blood supply and began to contract spontaneously.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Among adult pedestrians killed in nighttime crashes, about a third had blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication; so did about 20% of those killed during the day.

— Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of blood

Noun

After 36 years, investigators were able to match DNA to her sister, Tania Buchanan, through genetic genealogy.

— Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Sep. 2026
The deputy had previously tried to pursue genetic genealogy through one grant process, but the results didn’t pan out.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

The company doesn’t appear to have a formal succession plan — something governance experts say is critical to mitigating key-person risk and ensuring shareholders don’t panic if tragedy strikes.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
While sitting next to her at Sant Ambroeus in New York, Twine is as light and calm as ever, despite experiencing such pivotal life accomplishments in such quick succession.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of succession

Noun

The developers say automating pollination could reduce the need for manual labor, lower breeding costs, and improve the efficiency of hybrid breeding.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
For migratory species such as myrtle warblers, the farther north and west their breeding range expanded, the longer the migration to their southern wintering ground became.

— Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of breeding

Noun

In predominantly Hindu Nepal, mourning periods last 13 days, during which close family members stay home and relatives visit to pay their respects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Richard Gere’s Life Now The actor moved to his wife’s home country of Spain with their two sons at the end of 2024 so Silva could be closer to her relatives.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of relatives

Noun

Opponents warn a single ‘Jewish’ ethnic box oversimplifies diverse Jewish histories and risks echoing past government tracking, amid elevated antisemitism and debate over religion, ancestry and culture.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Yet their rules, fees, ancestry requirements, and political rights vary widely, risking turning a powerful idea into a collection of competing citizenship sales pitches.

— Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancestry

Noun

Grooming remains one of the biggest threats facing children and families, according to Jenkins.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Bridgespan’s report finds that families in middle-income countries are more likely to administer their own programs than those in higher-income countries.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of family

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heredities

heredity

hereinbelow

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“Heredity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heredity. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of heredity

noun

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