as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
a family of good breeding that is well respected in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reproducing
to bring forth offspring
rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in raising
to bring to maturity through care and education
he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse
cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in planting
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set
parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 breeding
Sylvan Lebrun, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Hatching plans to save the species The breeding effort was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, which works to ensure not only the continuation of species but also their genetic diversity.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Warming temperatures and moist soils are the perfect breeding environment for insects to emerge.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Due to breeding, the fluffy white rescue dog is partially paralyzed and must use a wheelchair as his back legs.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Noun
While Rob and Jim both served long tenures on Walmart’s board, Alice has mostly focused her energy on pursuits such as art curation, horse breeding and philanthropy.
—Sylvan Lebrun, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Hatching plans to save the species The breeding effort was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, which works to ensure not only the continuation of species but also their genetic diversity.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Warming temperatures and moist soils are the perfect breeding environment for insects to emerge.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Due to breeding, the fluffy white rescue dog is partially paralyzed and must use a wheelchair as his back legs.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breeding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breeding
Noun
-
The results, Shapiro says, show the dire wolf was the result of hybridization between two ancient, now extinct canid lineages.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Viewers know that someone named John will continue the Dutton lineage, eventually leading to Kevin Costner’s John III of the flagship series.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Sinema spent around $8,000 on travel expenses in the Boston area in the days surrounding the marathon this spring, but has reported raising just one dollar since March, according to CREW’s complaint.—
Laura Gersony,
The Arizona Republic,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The suit alleges that millions of Times articles were used without authorization in training AI models, raising fundamental questions about intellectual property rights in the digital age.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
His retirement saw the end of an era, creating a vacuum in a sport closely tethered to his name and achievements.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
-
What’s more, some Chinese command centers appear to have live video feeds of various platforms under their purview, potentially limiting the autonomy of more junior officers and creating a sense that their every move is under the microscope.—
Sam Bresnick,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Customers send vials of their saliva to 23andMe for results on ancestry and health.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In Kevin Nguyen’s gripping novel, the U.S. government sets up internment camps for citizens of Vietnamese ancestry following a wave of terrorist attacks.—
Meg Zukin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Our purpose is to empower those who seek to communicate effectively, fostering trust and understanding within our communities and beyond.—
Caren Bohan,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The temptation to simulate human expressiveness through technology only deepens this disconnect, opening the door to manipulation and deceit rather than fostering meaningful connection.—
Sarah A. Bell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The film comes with strong festival pedigree, having received the SGIFF Short Film Fund and the Singapore Momo Distribution Grant.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Such is the appeal of the new Chinese restaurant on 79th Street Causeway, a stylish but comfortable spot hidden within a modest property, with a startling culinary pedigree and a menu that may challenge your idea of what a neighborhood Chinese restaurant should be.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The reciprocal rates, which aren’t exactly reciprocal, were calculated by dividing a country’s trade deficit with the US by its exports to the country and multiplying by 1/2.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The best employees will be those who master this skill, significantly multiplying their productivity.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Real intimacy lies in bringing your beautifully flawed self into the experience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Adam Digby is the Juventus correspondent for Forbes and is Serie A writer, bringing you the biggest and best stories that Italian football has to offer.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breeding. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share