nuclear family

noun

Definition of nuclear familynext
as in extended family
the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children

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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 nuclear family Go take care of your nuclear family! — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026 Built up in the 1870s as a resort for nuclear families, Fire Island was destroyed by a hurricane in the 1930s, which quickly chased away its upper-class vacationers. — Air Mail, 23 May 2026 In this case, the one on trial is the nuclear family. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 The nuclear family at the heart of the story are first met living in the rustic splendor of the German countryside, in a scruffy, characterful house far bigger than this family of three — Philip, Lucy and their six- or seven-year-old son Johnny (Malo Blanchet) — obviously needs. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuclear family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclear family
  1. extended family
  2. blended family
  3. people
  4. tribe
  5. household
  6. house
  7. clan
  8. blood
Noun
  • The State Department also sanctioned the wife of Alejandro Castro Espin, a member of the Castro extended family.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026
  • In addition to Nancy and Grayton, Weston is survived by his father, Keith, and other extended family.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Definition of extended family
Noun
  • Dietrich, 36, is now a stay-at-home mother to her blended family of four teenagers and a 17-month-old.
    — Megan Leonhardt, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2023
  • Kourtney Kardashian Barker spent the Christmas holiday with her blended family.
    — Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 29 Dec. 2022
Definition of blended family
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 site is significant and dates to the 1600s, for council meetings between tribes around the Great Lakes.
    — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But the association will not advertise a destination until the tribe or business approves its description – a small reversal of the old roadside economy, in which outsiders invented Native identities for signs and souvenirs.
    — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribe
Noun
  • The Moon enters Aries and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, bringing fresh energy to your space, private life, and household rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Compared to rising energy prices, increases in food costs have a more direct impact on living costs for households and are more likely to push up inflation expectations.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of household
Noun
  • The kitchen clock shows information relevant to the kitchen, while the office display can show information generated elsewhere in the house.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The house will include Osbourne’s hits plus some deep cuts, Sauls said.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Genichiro, the clan’s new leader and Isshin’s grandson, wants to use the Dragon’s Heritage to win the war and abducts Kuro.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking with actress Leslie Mann during the episode, Kylie Kelce brought up Swift and her growing influence on the Kelce clan.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Kevin McCarthy captured a spectacular view as the eclipsed moon shone blood red in the skies over North Carolina, after a brief weather scare!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But unlike these flesh-and-blood examples, Miss Piggy doesn’t experience the discrimination of aging.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of blood

Browse Nearby Words

nuclear families
nuclear family
nuclei
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Cite this Entry

“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclear%20family. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nuclear family

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nuclear family

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