as in extended family
the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 nuclear family
How should families think about the definition of family, which has long been thought of as the nuclear family?
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
This nuclear family was yet another way Major served as a possibility model for trans women in a world that told them love and biological family are less of an option.
—Tre’vell Anderson, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
The series was revived several times in the 1970s and ’80s, making the typical nuclear family that happens to live in outer space familiar to several generations of viewers.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Even so, the theory that nuclear families are the saving grace for Black children reigns supreme, albeit untrue.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
This nuclear family was yet another way Major served as a possibility model for trans women in a world that told them love and biological family are less of an option.
—Tre’vell Anderson, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
The series was revived several times in the 1970s and ’80s, making the typical nuclear family that happens to live in outer space familiar to several generations of viewers.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Even so, the theory that nuclear families are the saving grace for Black children reigns supreme, albeit untrue.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclear family
Noun
-
Renfrow Smith is survived by her daughter, Alice Frances Smith, and extended family across several generations.—
Nick El Hajj,
Des Moines Register,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Harry and Meghan only attended two events out of the four days of festivities marking his grandmother's historic 70 years on the throne: watching Trooping the Colour with extended family and stepping out for a service of thanksgiving.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In November 2021, Johnson brought his blended family together for the premiere of his film Red Notice.—
Kelsie Gibson,
Peoplemag,
8 Feb. 2023
-
Dietrich, 36, is now a stay-at-home mother to her blended family of four teenagers and a 17-month-old.—
Megan Leonhardt,
Fortune,
3 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
McGuire’s goal here is entertainment (achieved) but his empathetic treatment of the indigenous tribes the English come into contact and conflict with gives his novel a mournful air of tragedy.—
Chloe Schama,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Being yourself also attracts your true tribe.—
Kimberly King,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The top 25% of households are doing pretty well.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But Yale said the move to raise the limit to $100,000 means nearly half of American households with children ages 6 to 17 will qualify for all education expenses being covered.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The fire broke out in the predawn hours Tuesday in a large house in the 11300 block of South Forest Avenue.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
That contrasts with traditional bespoke or site-built houses, put up mostly on the property.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But over the past few years, tensions between Brooklyn Beckham, his wife Nicola Peltz and the rest of the Beckham clan have escalated significantly, ultimately coming to a head with Brooklyn’s scathing social media claims about his parents.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In Hoffman’s hands, Elliot looks like a cross between the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman (the young actor’s dad) and a roguishly handsome member of the Kennedy clan.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her hands appeared to have been bound together and there was blood on her sheets and pillows, investigators said.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The friend found LaFave on the bedroom floor in a pool of blood.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In addition, these races start (on average) at 7500 feet elevation (a mile and a half high) which means less oxygen to handle all that stress.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Getting five points in the final 128 seconds from a freshman backup who was thrust into a starting role, Aliso Niguel maintained a chokehold on the league title race with a 61-60 victory at Beckman on Monday.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclear%20family. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
