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.

The strain extends to the seafarers' families at home, worried about their stranded loved ones -- or in the worst cases, bereaved.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

Born in Purba Medinipur district in 1970 into one of Bengal's most influential political families, he emerged through the Congress party before joining the TMC during its years as an anti-Left force.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Hinkley, 21, died at the crash site in September, and his fiancée, 20-year-old Madeline Fox, suffered “catastrophic” injuries, including permanent brain trauma, according to a lawsuit filed this week by their families against Riverside County.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

“This is just a small step, but it’s one step in that direction to encourage more families to begin their family formation earlier.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“Our families live out of state, which makes getting childcare difficult,” she explains.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller