families

noun

plural of family
1
as in tribes
a group of persons who come from the same ancestor the Adams family made remarkable contributions to American life for more than two centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the flute, the clarinet, the oboe, and other members of the woodwind family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 families Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 The gesture continues a pattern for Swift, who has a long history of quietly funding GoFundMe campaigns for fans and strangers facing medical emergencies, including past donations to families affected by natural disasters and accidents. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026 As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026 This weekend, however, the focus remains on families still putting their homes and lives back together. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 As the years have passed, Killian’s percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the closest proxy metric to wealth of student families, has increased. — Austin Horn august 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 The rest of the rooms range from cosy rooms—perfect for solo travelers—that are just as charming to apartment-style interconnecting rooms for families that include a kitchenette. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 The Ideal Trip for Families and Groups These 4x4 safaris are particularly well suited to families with teenagers and groups of friends seeking a more adventurous, immersive way to explore Iceland. — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026 Postpartum Support International provides free support to new mothers and families impacted by maternal mental health conditions. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for families
  1. tribes
  2. types
  3. clans
  4. kinds
  5. houses
  6. categories
  7. people
  8. groups
Noun
  • Language requiring state agencies to secure tribal consent before building projects that might affect Indigenous spiritual practices and the ability of tribes and individual members to sue if those rights are violated.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Quannah ChasingHorse is a Han Gwich’in and Sicangu/Oglala Lakota land protector and fashion model from Eagle Village, Alaska, and the tribes of South Dakota.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribes
Noun
  • Using modern game design software, students create different types of video games including arcade, role-playing and first-person shooter games.
    — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, Flock started requiring users to enter specific case numbers and offense types associated with each search.
    — Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of types
Noun
  • All Palestinian clans and families in Gaza would also be a target for disarmament, which would have an impact on the future of Hamas and Palestinian armed struggle.
    — Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Scores attach to a profile, clans compete by country, challenges travel between friends.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of clans
Noun
  • Bold graphic designs of all kinds, really, are a common American trademark.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ahead, rug experts explain how to clean and care for outdoor rugs of all kinds, including what to use and what to avoid to keep yours looking inviting throughout the seasons.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of kinds
Noun
  • Experimenting with narrative will continue across a number of Halloween Horror Nights houses.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • ProgCore Press is what happens when two fiercely independent creative houses decide to make some noise together.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of houses
Noun
  • In the book’s 16 central chapters, Roden wanders from central categories such as yogurt, egg dishes, breads and pickles, showing how the countries of this region prepare stunning variations of common foodstuffs.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Education and health services added 45,000 to lead all categories, with the latter group being at the forefront of employment growth.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of categories
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people
Noun
  • The other two, one in Miami and another in Tallahassee, were both filed by various voting rights groups on the same day DeSantis signed the bill — April 1.
    — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Investigators were combing through the area in large groups, searching the ground for possible clues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of groups

Browse Nearby Words

familiar spirits
families
family
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Cite this Entry

“Families.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/families. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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