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
The nuclear family grieved privately at each milestone, joined, in time, by new members of the family, like Caroline's husband, Edwin Schlossberg, and their three children.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Looking to the 1950s nuclear family, Taubman envisioned moments of vulnerability behind the white picket fence.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Looking to the 1950s nuclear family, Taubman envisioned moments of vulnerability behind the white picket fence.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclear family
Noun
-
The single-season series centered around her father and his relationships with Whitney, Bobbi Kristina and his extended family over the course of six months.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
22 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
-
Routine maintenance and upgrades to the grid were already causing households nationwide to experience sticker shock on their monthly bills.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There are no children in my household, so no one would be endangered by his presence.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 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
-
Given that the Ash clan came from a far darker place psychologically and historically than the Wind Traders, Scott wanted their costumes and accessories to go in an entirely different direction.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Recent protests amid corruption scandals, elite clan fissures, and governance failures suggest that nostalgia is again colliding with reality.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The trio fled; Cordell staggered to his feet, blood gushing from his face.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The list price of Eliquis, a blood thinner, plunged 43%, while Jardiance, used to treat Type 2 diabetes, fell 44%.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 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 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
