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
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
There is good reason for this since boysenberry’s progenitors include European blackberry, European raspberry, loganberry (a blackberry-raspberry hybrid), and dewberry, a kind of blackberry native to the central and southern United States.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
But it's still considered the progenitor of the fiery food that's inspired countless other spots, like Hattie B's, Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish and 400 Degrees.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The Outlaw movement progenitor was celebrated throughout his career by fellow groundbreaking and progressive-minded performers, including Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver and Shel Silverstein, while influencing modern era icons like Garth Brooks.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 July 2025
There is good reason for this since boysenberry’s progenitors include European blackberry, European raspberry, loganberry (a blackberry-raspberry hybrid), and dewberry, a kind of blackberry native to the central and southern United States.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
But it's still considered the progenitor of the fiery food that's inspired countless other spots, like Hattie B's, Bolton's Spicy Chicken and Fish and 400 Degrees.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The Outlaw movement progenitor was celebrated throughout his career by fellow groundbreaking and progressive-minded performers, including Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver and Shel Silverstein, while influencing modern era icons like Garth Brooks.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progenitor
Noun
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Our harsh winters and gorgeous summers reminded our ancestors of home.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
3 Aug. 2025
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The small, rugged truck crossed over into civilian use and is the ancestor of the off-road vehicles and SUVs that patrol suburbs and ferry kids to the frontlines of soccer games.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This was because my grandfather also truly believed that women and men were equal.—
Tamar Gakharia,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Their farm, Otter Oaks, is named for Schneider’s grandfather’s ranch.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As many fans were happy to see that the couple might be back together, her ex-boyfriend and father of her children, Tracy T, didn’t seem as elated.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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During the meeting, the group read from a page and a half of cases of immigrants detained this year, including a father suffering from leukemia in metro Detroit with three children who was arrested five days ago, Kovari said.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Progenitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progenitor. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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