Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of inbred are congenital, hereditary, inborn, and innate. While all these words mean "not acquired after birth," 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

How are the words congenital and hereditary related as synonyms of inbred?

Both 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 could inborn be used to replace inbred?

While the synonyms inborn and inbred 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 might innate be a better fit than inbred?

The words innate and inbred are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

an innate sense of fair play

Examples 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 inbred Some populations are much more inbred than others, because of cultural practices. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2013 But her European ancestry is a lot less informative here, and a lot of the variance in the plot is taken up by the inbred and distinctive Kalash. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2012 He or she would not even be nominated in today’s political web of self-serving, inbred, power-hungry political party leaders. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022 It’s middle to upper-middle class, but with pockets of inbred poverty. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for inbred 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inbred
Adjective
  • Yet the inherent looseness of those moments — the playful energy of two giant artists in their prime, tinkering together in the same room — makes Collision Course worth returning to in the years since its release.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Movement of these tokens — which hold no inherent value — prevents ledgering mix-ups like those seen in Synapse, says CEO Hugo Finkelstein.
    Lucinda Shen, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Assets like land may retain intrinsic value, but liquidity would likely vanish and the ability to convert holdings into other forms of wealth (or even use them) could be severely constrained.
    Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Take note of your intrinsic achievements, rather than external ones.
    Julia Sullivan, SELF, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Economics Of Decarbonization And The New World Order The policies of the nations in which these companies operate play an integral part in their chances of succeeding in the renewable energy transition.
    Jeffrey Skelton, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Barrett was meant to be an integral part of the Dolphins' pass rush, after both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb suffered season-ending injuries in 2024.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Eugenic Protection Law, in place from 1948 to 1996, allowed authorities to forcibly sterilize people with disabilities, including those with mental disorders, hereditary diseases or physical deformities and leprosy.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 July 2024
  • There is no indication that lice are hereditary or that people with certain genetic makeups are more likely to get lice than others.
    Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Access to water is essential to sustaining biodiversity so how it is used has a lasting impact.
    Earl Foster, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Bug out for the holidays with this friendly look at the essential roles insects play in our lives.
    Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near inbred

Cite this Entry

“Inbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inbred. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on inbred

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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