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
Somewhere in Africa there is a city, town, or village where Henry Fordham’s progenitors lived and died for hundreds or thousands of years, where my distant relatives walk the streets today.
—
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
More interesting is how Rocky feels he’s been underrated as a progenitor of modern rap style.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 2026
That’s the newest creation from these savvy sugar slingers and, as the name suggests, the cookies are a play on s’mores, though Rocky Road ice cream is the direct progenitor, according to the Girl Scouts.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian parents, and Duwaji in Texas to Syrian Muslim progenitors.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
More interesting is how Rocky feels he’s been underrated as a progenitor of modern rap style.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 2026
That’s the newest creation from these savvy sugar slingers and, as the name suggests, the cookies are a play on s’mores, though Rocky Road ice cream is the direct progenitor, according to the Girl Scouts.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian parents, and Duwaji in Texas to Syrian Muslim progenitors.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progenitor
Noun
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People whose ancestors ate a lot of endosperm have extra copies of the genes that make starch‑digesting enzymes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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In my last visit to my village, my mother asked me to scrape some soil into my hands and whisper a prayer to my ancestors.—
Chinonso Ihekire,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Democratic Party’s shift since JFK What would his grandfather make of all this?—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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Trump’s own paternal grandfather, Friedrich, originally came from Germany in 1885.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her father, Ken, also had a big hand in developing her career.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Kevin MacEgan said his father’s honor, wisdom, kindness and character will serve as his lasting legacy.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Progenitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progenitor. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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