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.

Cambodia has been fertile ground for cybercrime, analysts say: It has fast internet, the economy runs mostly on the dollar and top government posts often pass within families from one generation to the next.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"We have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, coroners' personnel," Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

She shares content on topics families would usually turn to their health visitor for support with, such as weaning, developmental milestones and potty training.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

"Health visitors in the community are vital in supporting families with health needs, identifying abuse and neglect, supporting with maternal mental health," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

“Some people find their families difficult,” Zeke said.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness