as in genetic
genetically passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring heritable characteristics like skin and eye and hair color

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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 heritable The nucleotide substitution in the HBB gene—producing what’s known as hemoglobin S, in contrast to normal hemoglobin A—is heritable. Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Identical twins are slightly closer in their cynicism than fraternal twins, for instance, but the genetic and heritable component seems pretty small. Sean Illing, Vox, 16 Sep. 2024 In Europe, Germany bans embryo selection, while the United Kingdom is moving toward allowing heritable genetic manipulation through mitochondrial transfer for some women undergoing IVF. Jamie F. Metzl, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2014 Opponents of genetic engineering will call for an outright ban on genetic enhancement and heritable human genetic modification. Jamie F. Metzl, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2014 See All Example Sentences for heritable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heritable
Adjective
  • The remains were found by a person walking through the woods in Wilkeson, Washington, south of Seattle, in October 1997, according to a news release from the forensic genetic genealogy company Othram.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Zoom in: The company believes these clones — or future clones and offspring — could bring genetic diversity to the captive breeding population of red wolves.
    Zachery Eanes, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By contrast, the plantation economy relied on rigid racial hierarchies and hereditary enslavement.
    Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Between five and 10% of cases will be considered hereditary, meaning that the cancer was caused by a genetic abnormality that was passed down from the mother or father.
    Joanne Fowler, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Quoting the late American historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, Horn said Jewish culture makes a distinction between history and memory, and Jews are more interested in memory: investing a historical event with eternal, inheritable meaning.
    Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Our vision is that the future of design will have a long lasting inheritable quality.
    Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Pounding the pavement to rummage for vintage treasure is inherent to unearthing the rare and one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrity stylists, editors, and fashion-loving brides-to-be seek her out for.
    Talia Abbas, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For as bleak as things can feel for Chicago’s South Side ballclub, there is still an inherent optimism when everyone’s record is 0-0.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

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“Heritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heritable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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