1
as in grandfathers
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
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2
as in forerunners
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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Recent Examples of ancestors
Now this may be simply because a few uniquely talented craftsman build each Torpedo by hand on a small Swedish island where their ancestors have literally been building boats for more than 1000 years.
—
Bill Springer, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Their ancestors evolved in dry areas, so this element can feel unfamiliar to them.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Inspired by her family who comes from a local town in Guerrero, one of the poorest and most affected states in Mexico, this exhibition is also about respect for her ancestors and traditions.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
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
Within the same sedimentary level as Pink, researchers found stone tools and animal bones with marks made by cutting, which suggests that these early ancestors butchered animals for meat.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return as Moana and Maui for the follow-up, which sees Moana embarking on a dangerous journey to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The video begins by showing a nostalgic collection of old photos of his ancestors.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025
Our hosts’ ancestors were Italian, and the rest of us came from various states and parts of the world.
—Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
Bill Springer, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Their ancestors evolved in dry areas, so this element can feel unfamiliar to them.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Inspired by her family who comes from a local town in Guerrero, one of the poorest and most affected states in Mexico, this exhibition is also about respect for her ancestors and traditions.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
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
Within the same sedimentary level as Pink, researchers found stone tools and animal bones with marks made by cutting, which suggests that these early ancestors butchered animals for meat.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return as Moana and Maui for the follow-up, which sees Moana embarking on a dangerous journey to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The video begins by showing a nostalgic collection of old photos of his ancestors.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025
Our hosts’ ancestors were Italian, and the rest of us came from various states and parts of the world.
—Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancestors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestors. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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