Synonym Chooser

How is the word inbred different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of inbred are congenital, hereditary, inborn, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

How are the words congenital and hereditary related as synonyms of inbred?

Both congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur
eye color is hereditary

When could inborn be used to replace inbred?

While the synonyms inborn and inbred are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When might innate be a better fit than inbred?

The words innate and inbred are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

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 inbred It’s middle to upper-middle class, but with pockets of inbred poverty. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022 Highly inbred populations are less resilient to environmental stress and changes. Rina Diane Caballar, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2022 Other troubling signs: a significant population of juvenile animals or such inbred or hybrid species as white tigers or ligers, a lion crossed with a tiger. Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 This Joan is driven to lead men into battle not by the voices of saints nor a particular fealty to the French monarchy, but by a personal desire for vengeance and an inbred itch for violence. Maureen Corrigan, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for inbred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inbred
Adjective
  • For the most part, though, his attention to detail and his feeling for structure yielded readings of inherent, inarguable rightness.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, it's all done rather haphazardly, but with inherent purpose, which is exactly how a true Southern cook runs a kitchen.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These children are more likely to develop a strong intrinsic locus of control, which leaves them less vulnerable to anxiety and depression later in life.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement No—provided that the money is not the point, provided that what matters to one’s work as a philosopher is intrinsic, not instrumental.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For this longest time, a thorough fall clean-up of planting beds was an integral part of the traditional garden routine to tidy up after the gardening season and prepare for spring.
    Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Roufus was integral to his and his brother's success, according to Pettis.
    Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Intellia Therapeutics — The gene editing company rallied almost 6% after Citizens JMP upgraded the stock to market outperform and hiked its price target to $33 on enthusiasm for its hereditary angioedema treatment trial.
    Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Such knowledge is essential for designing safer storage strategies for nuclear and industrial waste in the coming centuries.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Given that the host cities for next year’s World Cup stretch from Vancouver to Mexico City, adapting to different climates will be essential.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The last thing an inherited home or property should bring about is unnecessary stress or financial strain.
    Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Coaching again focused on thinking, teaching participants to engage in generative conversations about inherited truths, surfacing blind spots and nurturing innovation.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inbred. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inbred

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