ANCESTRY Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

ancestry

noun

ˈan-ˌse-strē

Definition of ancestry

as in lineage

the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a Cambodian immigrant who can trace her Khmer ancestry as far back as the 16th century

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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 ancestry In 2016, a report accused the Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning Canadian fiction writer Joseph Boyden — who had claimed ancestry from Canadian First Nations groups — of lacking Indigenous heritage. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Their findings suggest the grave was occupied by a young woman of around 17 to 19 years, who, though local to the area, appears to have Scandinavian ancestry. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 Many have a searching, mystical quality, informed by her mixed African American, Irish, and Choctaw ancestry and her trips to Africa and Haiti. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026 Though Hoon Lee, who previously starred on Broadway and in the Cinemax show Banshee, immediately stood out, Kazan was hesitant to cast him because of his Korean ancestry. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestry

Noun

But all this manifold spectacle is triggered by a quest for a boy, possibly of royal lineage, who has gone missing.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Basically, this small insect appeared to preserve a transitional stage as its lineage gradually adapted from aquatic life to living on land.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of lineage

Noun

Students who had completed Ramapo’s investigative genetic genealogy certificate program volunteered to research the case and identified Krusely as a candidate in December 2025, according to the college.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The scientists’ method reconstructs genealogies, or maps showing where different pieces of DNA came from and how they were passed down, revealing branches of our evolutionary past.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of genealogy

Noun

Mosquito traps have now been installed at the airport, Fraport said, adding that the mosquitos captured will be genetically analyzed by the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, to determine their species and origin.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Fans of Waterbird Coffee were without their downtown Kansas City spot for just a few months before new owners strode in — single origin beans in hand — to save it.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of origin

Noun

Only 24 and with room to grow, but also real pedigree, Nico felt like the perfect, window-shaping addition.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Its celebrity pedigree is astonishing (spokespersons and fans include Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, etc), its offerings are robust, and many, if not most of its products, are five-star successes.

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pedigree

Noun

The first prince of Norwegian descent born in 567 years, his birth held special significance for the young Norwegian monarchy.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal prosecutors have charged about 80 people in the broader case, the vast majority of whom are of Somali descent.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of descent

Noun

In our efforts to reciprocate with some updates about our family, the wife would interject within a sentence or two of our contribution to hijack the conversation back to talking about her family.

— R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
The role of companies Singapore’s new scheme shifts from merely encouraging births to focus on family well-being over the long term, which might help change how potential parents think about children.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of family

Noun

The ash campaign differs from the push to save elm trees because the elm drive is a breeding program rather than an inoculation effort.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
From ash trees on the Appalachian Trail to century-old elms in Vermont’s capital, emerging treatments and breeding programs offer a rare, hopeful counterpoint to widespread insect and disease damage.

— Amanda Swinhart, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of breeding

Browse Nearby Words

ancestries

ancestry

anchor

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“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestry. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancestry

noun

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