families

[fam-uh-leez, fam-leez] / ˈfæm ə liz, ˈfæm liz /

NOUN

kin, offspring; classification

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clan folk group house household people tribe

STRONG

ancestors ancestry birth blood brood children class descendants descent dynasty extraction forebears genealogy generations genre in-laws inheritance issue kind kindred line lineage network parentage pedigree progenitors progeny race relations relationship relatives siblings strain subdivision system

WEAK

heirs and assigns kith and kin menage ménage

Antonyms

STRONG

parent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Thousands of cars lined the streets with families trying to escape for safety.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

“They’re starting to form families, they’ve moved into the suburbs, and both warehouse clubs and off-price retail is generally a way to stretch that household budget,” Hottovy said of younger consumers.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Woodson shared a conviction that strong families, faith and personal responsibility are the true foundations for transforming lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Lawyers for the other families did not respond to requests for comment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

We haven’t spoken in over a year, ever since their families converted, but now I feel an urge to wish them well.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar