genetic

adjective

jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants also genetical
Definition of geneticnext
as in hereditary
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of genetic Consider messenger RNA technology — the basis for the first COVID vaccines, as well as several promising experimental treatments for genetic disorders and cancer. — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 All of these came from the family’s own archives, a treasure trove that shows the focus on craftsmanship that is almost genetic to the Prada clan. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Cercek and her team are studying the best ways to monitor how tumors respond to dostarlimab by looking at snippets of genetic information that tumors shed in the blood, or more advanced imaging to accurately capture changing tumor sizes. — Alice Park, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Previously, evaluating Alzheimer’s risk or detecting early brain abnormalities required invasive spinal taps, expensive PET scans, or limited genetic testing. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for genetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genetic
  1. hereditary
  2. inherent
  3. inherited
  4. inheritable
Adjective
  • Chief Janice George, master weaver and co-founder of L’hen Awtxw Weaving House, and a hereditary chief of the Squamish Nation, was invited to open proceedings.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Before committing to a breed, research its specific hereditary risks and typical lifespan range.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hereditary
Adjective
  • Miller makes the statistical adjustments required to nail the probabilities inherent in the prices.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Curic and his team have dialed down the caricature and delivered elegance to go with the innate drama of the vehicle, which is less obviously in hock to downforce or to the cooling demands inherent with other McLarens.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • Immune and inherited disorders, as well as medications and urinary blockage, can also cause lasting kidney damage.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The later one listens to people explain why inherited status was no longer enough to keep one.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of inherited
Adjective
  • Citizenship strategy has moved from a fringe consideration to standard practice among high-net-worth families, with parents and grandparents increasingly viewing passports as a form of inheritable wealth.
    — Alex Ohnona, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • These shares are also inheritable, allowing them to be passed on to heirs.
    — Daniela Sanjinés, The Conversation, 22 July 2025
Definition of inheritable

Browse Nearby Words

genesis
genetic
genial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genetic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All