as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
the progenitors of today's Maya once ruled a mighty empire that stretched across much of Central America
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 progenitor
For all its modern flourishes, Delta is hindered by slavishly adhering to the core gameplay of its 2004 progenitor.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
By using specific blood cells known as endothelial progenitor cells, or EPCs, Colossal was able to identify and reprogram cells much easier.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
African-American bluegrass guitarist Arnold Schultz was a Kentuckian whose credits include offering bluegrass progenitor Bill Monroe one of his first paying jobs as a musician, playing together at square dances.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Welcome Back, Kotter was a progenitor of the form.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
By using specific blood cells known as endothelial progenitor cells, or EPCs, Colossal was able to identify and reprogram cells much easier.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
African-American bluegrass guitarist Arnold Schultz was a Kentuckian whose credits include offering bluegrass progenitor Bill Monroe one of his first paying jobs as a musician, playing together at square dances.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Welcome Back, Kotter was a progenitor of the form.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for progenitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progenitor
Noun
-
Demosponges are soft and squishy filter feeders and their ancestors likely shared similar characteristics.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Where Lil Boosie and Kevin Gates are hometown heroes, two artists who are direct ancestors for YoungBoy’s style, YoungBoy is more notorious, fodder for the gossip shows and the minor podcasts that infiltrate their way onto your timeline.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The oak tree, which his grandfather watched grow, was an important fixture in Taylor's own childhood.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Her background is in conservation, marine biology and ecology, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, John McConnell, founder and creator of Earth Day.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Usagi is approached by Ryuji (Kento Kaku), an academic obsessed with discovering the secrets of the afterlife, she is lured back into Borderland by the chance to see her father one more time.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Carolyn Smith, the late preacher’s daughter, said her father — like Pendleton a Knoxville College graduate — was instrumental in recruiting Pendleton and other Black educators to teach in San Diego.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Progenitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progenitor. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share