nuclear family

noun

Definition of nuclear familynext
as in extended family
the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children

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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 Go take care of your nuclear family! — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026 Built up in the 1870s as a resort for nuclear families, Fire Island was destroyed by a hurricane in the 1930s, which quickly chased away its upper-class vacationers. — Air Mail, 23 May 2026 In this case, the one on trial is the nuclear family. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 The nuclear family at the heart of the story are first met living in the rustic splendor of the German countryside, in a scruffy, characterful house far bigger than this family of three — Philip, Lucy and their six- or seven-year-old son Johnny (Malo Blanchet) — obviously needs. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclear family
  1. extended family
  2. blended family
  3. people
  4. tribe
  5. household
  6. house
  7. clan
  8. blood
Noun
  • The State Department also sanctioned the wife of Alejandro Castro Espin, a member of the Castro extended family.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026
  • In addition to Nancy and Grayton, Weston is survived by his father, Keith, and other extended family.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Definition of extended family
Noun
  • 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
  • Kourtney Kardashian Barker spent the Christmas holiday with her blended family.
    — Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 29 Dec. 2022
Definition of blended family
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people
Noun
  • The defining anti-woke ads of 2024 were about taxpayer funding for gender surgery, not listing the tribes of Milwaukee.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 July 2026
  • According to Werkheiser, the ACHP proposal also reduces what may be considered historic property eligible for protection, which could mean that land considered sacred to Indigenous tribes would lose protection.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of tribe
Noun
  • California has the fifth-highest income threshold for middle-class households in the country, with a 2026 middle-class income range of $66,766 to $200,298.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As more households abandon traditional cable and satellite packages in favor of streaming platforms, the reach that advertisers once took for granted on linear TV are eroding.
    — Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of household
Noun
  • Allen said the house needed to be gutted, the inside was deteriorating and termites were eating at the doors.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • New Delhi — For decades, India was relegated to fashion’s backyard, with its embroidery and garment export houses manufacturing everything from ready-to-wear to couture for the world’s biggest luxury brands.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Create characters built around lifepaths, natures, clan traits, and merits.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • The Sussex clan, which has had an estranged relationship with the royal family in recent years, met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, Charles and Camilla's private country residence in Gloucestershire, England.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Nanos noted there was blood and other DNA found at the scene that is also still being analyzed, but has so far also yielded no results.
    — Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • The note probably wouldn’t have been legible anyway, with the constant blood dripping from my writing hand.
    — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026
Definition of blood

Browse Nearby Words

nuclear families
nuclear family
nuclei
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Cite this Entry

“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclear%20family. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nuclear family

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nuclear family

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