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
Research on early humans suggests that our ancestors’ diets consisted of a variety of food types, including fruits, vegetables and meat.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
This makes Pink the oldest human ancestor ever found in Western Europe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
While early human ancestors started making stone tools at least 2.6 million years ago, bone tools took much longer to appear.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
The Cajuns of south Louisiana trace their ancestors to the French Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia around 1755.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
This makes Pink the oldest human ancestor ever found in Western Europe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
While early human ancestors started making stone tools at least 2.6 million years ago, bone tools took much longer to appear.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
The Cajuns of south Louisiana trace their ancestors to the French Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia around 1755.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ancestor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestor
Noun
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This recipe is familiar yet revolutionary at the same time, just like your grandfather's stories.—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
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Pulte, whose grandfather founded the nation’s third-largest homebuilder, PulteGroup, said that privatizing the two companies is not the Trump administration’s top priority this time around.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The notable feature of this particular death factory was its use of gas vans, a forerunner to the larger, more impersonal gas chambers built at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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After an illness and financial mismanagement force his father to accept early retirement, the family relocates from a suburban town to the countryside.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
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His father was an addict, which was exacerbated by gambling’s legalization in his home state.—
Adam Hudacek,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such certificates are often pursued after a conviction has been vacated and as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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For example, tryptophan is precursor to serotonin, the body’s feel-good chemical.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Lately, it's also become politically charged, with President Donald Trump blaming his predecessor for their lengthy stay.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Earlier this week, Intel announced Tan was filling the role left vacant when the board ousted his predecessor, Pat Gelsinger.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Agencies including the Treasury Department, the Department of Commerce and even HUD have been involved in a study, a prototype and a working group in recent years.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
7 Mar. 2025
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Californian EV startup Telo just revealed a functional prototype of its MT1 mini-truck at an in-person event in Los Angeles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestor. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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