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.

But often, she said, they fear losing their jobs — or worse, having ICE called on them and being separated from their families.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

At the moment, financial support for this issue is heavily means-tested for families in Northern Ireland and is only made available to those on certain benefits.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

It is a book that leads with its rigorously achieved style, which is stripped down, dryly unsentimental and keenly attuned to the tensions present in families and friendships.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Both were immigrants from Ukraine, and they spent holidays together with their families.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“You’re very young, niñas. I’m surprised your families let you come.”

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar