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.

Most grew up in religious or at least morally serious families.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Still, hundreds of families sat out under mild, cloudy skies, picnicking amid sweeping views of the snow-capped Alborz mountains -- a postcard scene at odds with a city under regular attack.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The team helped victims' families "gain control, restore dignity and respect", he said.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

A look at the recent rally in the $30 trillion Treasury market reflects concerns about the ability of U.S. families and businesses to keep shouldering higher fuel costs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

It’s one thing for Theo to look at the names with me, plotting which families to visit next.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse