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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 progenitor
By using specific blood cells known as endothelial progenitor cells, or EPCs, Colossal was able to identify and reprogram cells much easier.
—
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
African-American bluegrass guitarist Arnold Schultz was a Kentuckian whose credits include offering bluegrass progenitor Bill Monroe one of his first paying jobs as a musician, playing together at square dances.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Hard rock progenitors Led Zeppelin had the top music documentary in the first half of the year with Becoming Led Zeppelin, which Luminate said helped drive a 23 percent bump in their streaming numbers.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
However, none of these methods have, so far, reliably pinpointed the stem cells or progenitors capable of yielding fresh neurons–leaving room for doubt.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
African-American bluegrass guitarist Arnold Schultz was a Kentuckian whose credits include offering bluegrass progenitor Bill Monroe one of his first paying jobs as a musician, playing together at square dances.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Hard rock progenitors Led Zeppelin had the top music documentary in the first half of the year with Becoming Led Zeppelin, which Luminate said helped drive a 23 percent bump in their streaming numbers.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
However, none of these methods have, so far, reliably pinpointed the stem cells or progenitors capable of yielding fresh neurons–leaving room for doubt.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progenitor
Noun
-
Alcohol is a big part of those rituals in terms of paying respect to your ancestors or the dead.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
But the staff at the Indian Community School were nurturing and respectful while the students learned about their ancestors' heritage.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In 1943, when the Mississippi tore away from its banks and charted a fierce and muddy course across America’s central farmlands, Gerard’s grandfather, Harold Gerard, had already fled the waters once.—
Julia Rendleman,
ProPublica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The film will follow a young boy sent to spend a summer with his charismatic and wildly eccentric grandfather on a remote Welsh farm.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Chilean-American actress and singer did not reveal the age of her child or the identity of the father.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
His father taught him that a husband provides, a wife takes care of children.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Progenitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progenitor. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share