as in hereditary
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring
heritable characteristics like skin and eye and hair color
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Recent Examples of heritable
Genotoxicity is when a substance or chemical is destructive to genetic information, causing DNA or chromosomal damage that can lead to mutations, cancer, or heritable defects.
—
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Longevity, the authors estimated, was about 25 percent heritable, meaning the remaining three quarters was determined by environmental factors and lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Temperament is partially heritable.
—Angela J. Narayan, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Most cases of early-onset cancer are not explained by a heritable factor, but Ng said those diagnosed with any cancer at a young age have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a hereditary syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
—Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Longevity, the authors estimated, was about 25 percent heritable, meaning the remaining three quarters was determined by environmental factors and lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Temperament is partially heritable.
—Angela J. Narayan, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Most cases of early-onset cancer are not explained by a heritable factor, but Ng said those diagnosed with any cancer at a young age have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a hereditary syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
—Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heritable
Adjective
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For people with a family history of colorectal cancer or genetic or hereditary syndromes – or signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as blood in the stool – a colonoscopy is the only recommended test.—
Andrea Dwyer,
The Conversation,
30 May 2026
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Actor/performance artist/artist Anne Gridley, known for her work with Nature Theater of Oklahoma, created and performs this solo piece (with background dancers) about her experience with hereditary spastic paraplegia, a health condition which is gradually taking away her ability to walk.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Because the baby was so small, the couple says, doctors worried that there might be additional genetic anomalies that could be fatal.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
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Incredibly, fragments of genetic material from the microbes living in Ötzi’s gut were also preserved—thanks to both the conditions before he was discovered and after.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Delay often looks cheaper than honesty until inherited dependence becomes disorderly.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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And yet researchers examining muscle tissue from children with Duchenne have detected healthy cells capable of making normal dystrophin, evidence of a somatic mutation autocorrecting the inherited one.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Dias, on behalf of Owens’ estate, is seeking compensation for the past and future mental pain and suffering of Owens’ minor children, expenses of medical care and funeral arrangements arising from Owens’ death, loss of Owens’ prospective earnings and loss of inheritable estate.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
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Citizenship strategy has moved from a fringe consideration to standard practice among high-net-worth families, with parents and grandparents increasingly viewing passports as a form of inheritable wealth.—
Alex Ohnona,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Liquid fuel rockets will always have their inherent limitations, as will any systems that hope to augment or replace them.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
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Cultural change takes time, and in some industries, high-pressure environments are inherent to the work itself.—
Christine Muldoon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heritable. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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