as in genetic
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring
eye and hair color are hereditary
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Recent Examples of hereditary
Those who have genetic or hereditary prostate cancer may have malignancies appear earlier or grow at a faster rate.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 19 May 2025
The extravagant, dissolute life Prince Albert II of Monaco continues to bolster arguments of those who think that hereditary monarchies should not be allowed to exist in the 21st century.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
In a world of hereditary monarchies, there was a very real possibility at the time of America’s founding that whoever gained power would refuse to hand it over when the time came.
—Frederic J. Fransen, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
These types of stories breed an almost hereditary disdain: The wolf is, and can only ever be, an enemy.
—Jonathan C. Slaght, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hereditary
Chad De Guzman, Time, 19 May 2025
The extravagant, dissolute life Prince Albert II of Monaco continues to bolster arguments of those who think that hereditary monarchies should not be allowed to exist in the 21st century.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
In a world of hereditary monarchies, there was a very real possibility at the time of America’s founding that whoever gained power would refuse to hand it over when the time came.
—Frederic J. Fransen, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
These types of stories breed an almost hereditary disdain: The wolf is, and can only ever be, an enemy.
—Jonathan C. Slaght, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hereditary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hereditary
Adjective
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Generational Financial Trauma Generational or genetic financial trauma refers to physical, psychological, and emotional inheritance of attitudes and beliefs that are influenced by financial stress and financial anxiety experienced by previous generations.—
Rahkim Sabree,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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It’s used to analyze a person’s blood, or tissue, or urine to detect specific biomarkers (genetic, protein, histological etc).—
Kerin Milesky,
Boston Herald,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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The sport of off-roading suffers from a fundamental discordance: The desire to get out into nature and the irreparable harm inherent in the process of off-roading.—
Tim Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
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The strategy carries inherent moral challenges and political risks.—
Morgan Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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These shares are also inheritable, allowing them to be passed on to heirs.—
Daniela Sanjinés,
The Conversation,
22 July 2025
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Quoting the late American historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, Horn said Jewish culture makes a distinction between history and memory, and Jews are more interested in memory: investing a historical event with eternal, inheritable meaning.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hereditary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hereditary. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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