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.

California families learned the Justice Department was pursuing their medical records only after NYU Langone Health disclosed it had received a criminal subpoena May 7 in Fort Worth, Texas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

While even temporary rental assistance helps, only 18% of homeless families receive it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

West Devon Council's Hub Committee was told 78 payments had been made through Crisis and Resilience Fund applications since April, with many going to families dealing with surging heating oil costs.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

"It means failed rains, dying crops, rising food prices, and families pushed to the edge yet again."

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

It’s an army of families with T-shirts, posters, and banners of their children and the words SAY HER NAME.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold