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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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
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The situation came to a head during a Christmas dinner at her grandparents’ home, where extended family — including her parents and brother — were invited.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
25 Dec. 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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Around 10 million viewers tuned in to see what was happening with the Loud family, proving that real families could be as compelling as the fictional ones presented in the two decades since television programming became a mainstay in American households.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
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Routine cleaning typically includes sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping around major household appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washers and dryers.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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 documentary follows the chief through the months leading up to his inauguration, an event that draws more than 300 people from around the world representing Scotland’s ancient clans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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Escarole is a chicory, the clan that includes radicchio, endive and frisée.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
13 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 20 Jan. 2026.
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