HEREDITARY Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hereditary' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of hereditary are congenital , inborn , inbred , and innate . While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. // a congenital heart murmur // eye color is hereditary

Q: When might 'inborn' be a better fit than 'hereditary'?

While the synonyms inborn and hereditary are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. // her inborn love of nature

Q: When can 'inbred' be used instead of 'hereditary'?

The synonyms inbred and hereditary are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. // inbred political loyalties

Q: Where would 'innate' be a reasonable alternative to 'hereditary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hereditary , innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. // an innate sense of fair play

hereditary

adjective

hə-ˈre-də-ˌter-ē

Definition of hereditary

as in genetic

genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring eye and hair color are hereditary

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How is the word hereditary different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of hereditary are congenital, inborn, inbred, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

When might inborn be a better fit than hereditary?

While the synonyms inborn and hereditary are close in meaning, inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

her inborn love of nature

When can inbred be used instead of hereditary?

The synonyms inbred and hereditary are sometimes interchangeable, but inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

inbred political loyalties

Where would innate be a reasonable alternative to hereditary?

While in some cases nearly identical to hereditary, innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

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 hereditary The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating. — Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 For people with a family history of colorectal cancer or genetic or hereditary syndromes – or signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as blood in the stool – a colonoscopy is the only recommended test. — Andrea Dwyer, The Conversation, 30 May 2026 That matters because entrepreneurial capability is not hereditary. — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Qatar, a geographically small country jutting off the Arabian Peninsula into the Persian Gulf, is ruled by a hereditary monarchy and is one of the wealthiest producers of oil and natural gas on the planet. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hereditary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hereditary

Adjective

More effective is preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), a diagnostic screening that checks embryos for chromosomal abnormalities.

— Edna Bonhomme, Scientific American, 6 July 2026
However, elites’ DNA contained genetic similarities known as runs of homozygosity — adjacent genetic markers indicating common ancestry — and their genomes tended to be more homogenous than those of non-elites.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of genetic

Adjective

Separating identity from one's profession allows for continuous learning and thriving in an evolving workplace, ensuring value comes from inherent capabilities, not just a role.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The physical configuration achieves passive safety operational profiles by relying on subcritical physics variables and inherent material limitations.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Definition of inherent

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

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hereaway

hereditary

heredities

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“Hereditary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hereditary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hereditary

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