HEREDITARY Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hereditary' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of hereditary are congenital , inborn , inbred , and innate . While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. // a congenital heart murmur // eye color is hereditary

Q: When might 'inborn' be a better fit than 'hereditary'?

While the synonyms inborn and hereditary are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. // her inborn love of nature

Q: When can 'inbred' be used instead of 'hereditary'?

The synonyms inbred and hereditary are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. // inbred political loyalties

Q: Where would 'innate' be a reasonable alternative to 'hereditary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hereditary , innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. // an innate sense of fair play

hereditary

adjective

hə-ˈre-də-ˌter-ē

Definition of hereditary next

as in genetic

genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring eye and hair color are hereditary

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How is the word hereditary different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of hereditary are congenital, inborn, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

When might inborn be a better fit than hereditary?

While the synonyms inborn and hereditary are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When can inbred be used instead of hereditary?

The synonyms inbred and hereditary are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

Where would innate be a reasonable alternative to hereditary?

While in some cases nearly identical to hereditary, innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

Examples 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 hereditary The cancer for the most part is not hereditary, but people whose sibling or parent had myeloma may have an elevated risk. —

Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024 According to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's constitution, the throne is hereditary to the dynasty of King Abdullah Ibn Al-Hussein and passes through males. —

Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024 Peruvian law prohibits that the next of kin pay the deceased’s civil reparations with their own funds, as debt is not hereditary there. —

Ñusta Carranza Ko, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2024 Many Arab rulers have banned the Brotherhood, fearing threats to their hereditary power and to more secular political agendas. —

Jane Arraf, NPR, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hereditary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hereditary

Adjective

But through forensic genetic genealogy, Bygd said investigators tracked down Jon Miller, 84, at his apartment in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Countries are debating mechanisms to share genetic material and formalizing financial programs.

Justin Worland/Bogotá, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024