family

noun

ˈfam-lē How to pronounce family (audio)
Definition of familynext
1
as in clan
a group of persons who come from the same ancestor the Adams family made remarkable contributions to American life for more than two centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kind
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the flute, the clarinet, the oboe, and other members of the woodwind family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 family At the press conference afterward, in the underbelly of the new stadium, coach David Braun spoke, awe-struck, of gratitude for the Ryan family, the student section and countless others. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Argentine President Javier Milei, a libertarian and longtime Bolsonaro-family ally, traveled to Brazil in July to back Flávio’s campaign. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Chilling abuse allegations and a family meltdown preceded the killing of a New York Times director. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 The Ustjanauskas family held political rallies also calling for independence and established four parcel agencies allowing immigrants in the United States to send clothing, food, and other goods to those living under Soviet rule. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for family
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family
  1. clan
  2. kind
  3. house
  4. category
  5. tribe
  6. group
  7. folks
  8. people
Noun
  • The Worth clan, especially the demure yet hungry-eyed adult daughter Penny, played by Gail Russell, nurses Quirt back to health after his opening-credits shootout with the Laredo gang — of which Quirt’s a member, looking to get out.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The streamer and Shondaland announced Thursday that an untitled spinoff about the early life of the future matriarch of the Bridgerton clan is in the works.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • The tie-in between the world’s largest beauty company and reigning two-time UEFA Champions League winner will last through 2028, and is the first of its kind for L’Oréal.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In groundbreaking litigation, Munkittrick is leading the charge for Warner Music Group in a first-of-its-kind case arguing that the major labels’ licensing of sound recordings for generative AI training violates the Sound Recording Labor Agreement.
    — Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • He was arrested in Baltimore in March 2025 after picking up his then-5-year-old son, who has autism and other disabilities, from his grandmother's house, according to court papers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel’s most unusual feature is its feng shui Japanese Zen garden, complete with an azumaya (open tea house) and cascading waterfall.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • The role brought him an Indian National Film Award for best supporting actor and the Filmfare award in the same category.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some 42% purchased in at least two collectible categories beyond fine and decorative art, close to baby boomers at 39%.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • Van Sickle said 11 member tribes rely on treaty rights to harvest resources such as maple sap, cedar boughs and other forest products, essential for guaranteeing traditional ways of life on indigenous lands.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In vibrant blues and sunset oranges, maroon reds and forest greens, the panels pay homage to the Zoot Suiters, indigenous tribes such as the Nisenan from Nevada City and the UFW march that came to Southside Park in August, 2022.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of tribe
Noun
  • The letter is spearheaded by Guardrails Action, the nonprofit affiliated with Guardrails Alliance, the super PAC launched in June as a counterweight to pro-AI election groups.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The service The service at Sala is seamless and friendly, and from arrival, the front desk staff feels more like a group of friends than a removed set of hotel employees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of group
Noun
  • On second thought, that seems like an expensive experiment to undertake with uncertain results, but the folks at Brown-Forman decided to try something similar.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Just as the weather begins to cool in Kansas City, Pitbull and Lil Jon helped folks enjoy some summer fun one more time.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of folks
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

Phrases Containing family

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families
family
family doctor
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Cite this Entry

“Family.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about family

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