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.

"If these families leave, what will be left for us?" asked Martin, as he scanned his nearly full restaurant.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Earlier in his career, he gained fame as the fearless Mafia-busting prosecutor whose aggressive use of racketeering laws brought down New York's organized crime families.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

A Canadian group randomized families to get either sleep training and infant safety advice or just the safety advice alone.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

The company has said it weighs the risk of violence against privacy considerations and the potential distress to individuals and families of involving law enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Patrons— families with young children, groups of chattering friends, couples on dates, and solo diners—sit at green picnic tables, their plates piled with food.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith