as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
the progenitors of today's Maya once ruled a mighty empire that stretched across much of Central America
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Recent Examples of progenitor
Across much of eastern North America, from Tennessee through Nova Scotia, skunk cabbage emerges before the vernal equinox in mid-March, pushing out of the snow and frozen mud like some primordial progenitor of the warmer weather to come.
—
Skylar Knight, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
When fish suffer retinal damage, the Müller glia cells differentiate into retinal progenitor cells, which generate new neurons and help the fish keep their vision functioning properly.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 11 June 2025
Sly Stone, funk-rock progenitor and leader of the Family Stone, has died at 82.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Matsumoto went on to develop another SNK stalwart in Art of Fighting, while Nishiyama was put in charge of the progenitor series.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Skylar Knight, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
When fish suffer retinal damage, the Müller glia cells differentiate into retinal progenitor cells, which generate new neurons and help the fish keep their vision functioning properly.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 11 June 2025
Sly Stone, funk-rock progenitor and leader of the Family Stone, has died at 82.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Matsumoto went on to develop another SNK stalwart in Art of Fighting, while Nishiyama was put in charge of the progenitor series.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progenitor
Noun
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Such cooperative behavior to defend from predators like raptors may have first evolved in our ancestors.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Visiting a seafood market is an essential part of any trip to Japan, and Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market is the grandfather of them all.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
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But off to the side, Ricardo Mojica, a tall, silver-haired grandfather, quietly tried to talk to agents to find out what was happening with his son, who worked inside.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
As heir, Prince William often takes on important duties on behalf of his father, the King.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Donald Trump has ticked many boxes in his life and career: husband (three times), father (of five), (multi-)billionaire, President (twice).—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Progenitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progenitor. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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