as in extended family
the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children
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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
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The price may vary, says Patterson, since Pelorus can arrange a yacht charter if a larger party or extended family wants to come along and follow the adventure as well.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Robb Report,
20 Oct. 2025
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By her estimation, there are about a dozen rotisserie restaurants across the New York City area operated by members of her extended family.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In November 2021, Johnson brought his blended family together for the premiere of his film Red Notice.—
Kelsie Gibson,
Peoplemag,
8 Feb. 2023
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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
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Environmental groups and the tribe are pursuing litigation against the federal and state governments over the site, which the groups say was rushed to completion without any opportunity for public comment or environmental review as required by NEPA.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For approximately one-third of households without access to a car, that can amount to a 90-minute bus commute each way for a simple grocery run.—
April Quevedo,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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The exhaustion and frustration of keeping the household running are taking a toll.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Video from the fire department showed crews pouring water on the house fire at 110th and State on Tuesday morning.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan was snapper whispering sweet nothings to her beau as the pair watched a match during the BNP Paribas Open in March.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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The Hough clan just got a little bigger.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Not to mention the titular bugs, a swarm of blood-invading creatures discovered by her new lover, the mysterious drifter Peter Evans (Namir Smallwood).—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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Movies themselves are often the thing that keep your brain ticking, your heart pumping, that keep the oxygen in your blood to keep you fit as much as going to any gym.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Shapiro, meanwhile, keeps a busy public schedule, and has gone out of his way to appear at high-profile, non-political events like football games, a NASCAR race and onstage at a Roots concert in Philadelphia.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Letting that loss linger and turn into back-to-back losses would have been a bad sign about Buffalo’s ability to handle the rigors of what is going to be a white-knuckle playoff race in the Eastern Conference.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclear%20family. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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