ancestral

adjective

Definition of ancestralnext
as in historic

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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 ancestral Lake Huron is named after the Huron, or Huron-Wendat people, whose ancestral homelands surround Lake Huron, Pure Michigan says. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Ali’s father tilled tiny ancestral fields using an irrigation system developed during the Roman empire. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 The Sussexes also visited Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family ancestral home, Althorp, in Northamptonshire. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 Now, researchers have developed a new method to analyze modern human genomes and uncovered evidence of two previously unknown ancestral lineages by working backward from DNA in living people to reconstruct missing parts of the human family tree. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancestral
  1. historic
  2. old-world
  3. ancient
  4. old-time
  5. historical
  6. habitual
  7. old
Adjective
  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague on Monday ruled in Pakistan's favor over the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, saying the historic pact remains fully binding and that India had no valid grounds for ending or suspending it.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This design is directly inspired by a historic Leroy tact watch created in 1810, today preserved at the Patek Philippe Museum.
    — Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of historic
Adjective
  • Over the years, Marco Polo has adapted to the neighborhood’s changing demographics by downplaying its old-world Italian extravagance.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Now at the National Museum of American History, the vanilla silk crepe dress, with its single waterfall ruffle and narrow claret ribbon at the waist, hinted at old-world craft and restraint.
    — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of old-world
Adjective
  • After becoming a daily fixture in the 1990s, blackouts have worsened since 2024, when Cuba’s ancient power grid began to collapse and Soviet-era electrical stations began failing more frequently.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its towering basalt cliffs formed as ancient volcanic rock cooled and fractured.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • For this tigress, the elder Singh urged a haka, an old-time beat.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The shop, both a drug store and old-time fountain shop, offers fountain sodas as well as subs and sandwiches.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of old-time
Adjective
  • Bonesho said this latest interpretation doesn’t lessen the artifact’s historical importance.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to the historical displays and remembrances, Bennett said, there will be music courtesy of local band Emerald City and games and activities for children.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Subsequent research actually backed him up, finding that habitual calculator use before students had internalized basic arithmetic weakened their mental fluency and fact retrieval.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But her kindly and supportive cop boyfriend Nick (Brandon Perea) rightly insists that the duo should perhaps move out of the house when Gemma’s habitual nightmares intensify.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of habitual
Adjective
  • The Dune star has five older half siblings from her father’s previous relationship.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Newcastle had depleted full-back resources and Jaissle was convinced the 24-year-old’s athleticism was ideal.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of old

Browse Nearby Words

ancestors
ancestral
ancestress
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Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancestral. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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