1
as in grandfather
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
Bridie's Irish ancestors immigrated to the United States in the 19th century during the Great Potato Famine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
pinball machines—the ancestors of today's video games—go back to the 19th century
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ancestor
The mountain is considered by the Māori to be among their ancestors, and the tribe will work with government officials to assume its care.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Matisse says one thing ingrained in family members was not trading on the famous last name of their ancestor.
—Martha Shade, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Much like today, sheep provided our ancestors with items like meat, milk, and weather-protective fabric made from their wool.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
The Lunar New Year also is an important occasion for spending time with family and to pay respects to ancestors and older family members.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ancestor 
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Matisse says one thing ingrained in family members was not trading on the famous last name of their ancestor.
—Martha Shade, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025
Much like today, sheep provided our ancestors with items like meat, milk, and weather-protective fabric made from their wool.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
The Lunar New Year also is an important occasion for spending time with family and to pay respects to ancestors and older family members.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ancestor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestor
Noun
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Mark Canlis will remain to run the restaurant that his grandfather opened in 1950, while Brian Canlis will move with his family to Nashville.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2025
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However, as established by his grandfather, there is no guarantee that age will play a factor.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.—
Lou Ponsi,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
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Each night, Americans were reminded of the crisis on TV, as ABC created nightly reports called America Held Hostage with Ted Koppel, the forerunner to Nightline.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Duhamel also played the title character’s father in the gay coming-of-age story Love, Simon (2018).—
Danny Horn,
EW.com,
2 Feb. 2025
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She was reported missing by her father on Dec. 4, 2023, according to the sheriff's office.—
Julia Reinstein,
ABC News,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Humidity Think of humidity as the precursor to mold and mildew.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
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Predicting earthquakes is not scientifically possible, and experts cannot determine definitively whether the seismic activity between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos is a precursor to a significantly larger earthquake, or is part of weeks or months of small or moderate intensity quakes.—
Elena Becatoros,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In 2020, Trump sanctioned chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, over her decision to open an inquiry into war crimes committed by all sides, including the U.S., in Afghanistan.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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In business, every campaign or product draws inspiration from its predecessors.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, this is a lab prototype: future versions and shipping products are likely to be much faster.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes,
29 Jan. 2025
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Students were invited to hold prototypes and explore innovative technologies meant to solve health issues from strep throat to pancreatic cancer.—
Gael Langdon,
arkansasonline.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ancestor
Cite this Entry
“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestor. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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