Synonyms for

Ancestral

Verb / æˈnsestrʌl / Another word for ancestral — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Ancestral refers to something that has been passed down from one's ancestors or older relatives.

Synonyms & similar words

transmissible hereditary patrimonial hereditary inherited paternal maternal familial forefatherly foremotherly genetic inborn innate intrinsic inherent traditional old antique vintage historic archaic outmoded ancient

Synonyms by register

Formal

hereditary lineal patrimonial

Informal

old-fashioned old-school

Literary

primordial ancient venerable

Antonyms

modern contemporary present-day new recent current

Common collocations

  • ancestral home
  • ancestral land
  • ancestral spirit
  • ancestral line
  • ancestral rights
  • ancestral village
  • ancestral worship

Word family

noun ancestry
adjective ancestral

Usage note

Refers to something inherited from ancestors or belonging to one's lineage. It carries a sense of tradition and history.

Example sentences

  1. My ancestral roots can be traced back to Ireland.
  2. The tribal chief passed down his ancestral knowledge to his successor.
  3. The ancestral traditions of the family were strictly followed.
  4. The ancestral home was declared a historical landmark.
  5. The ancestral portraits were displayed on the walls of the mansion.

Quotes

  • The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them. - Frank A. Clark
  • The greatest inheritance we can give our children is to raise them in a culture of truth. - Thomas S. Monson
  • We are not makers of history. We are made by history. - Martin Luther King Jr.

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