Thesaurus results for FATHER FIGURE

father figure

noun

Definition of father figure

as in dad

an older man who acts in a paternal role to younger people The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.

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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 father figure Harris said Milligan became a father figure to her after her parents divorced. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 In Season 3, Jeff Daniels appeared as Jimmy’s father, and Segel said that had been a great revelation in what drives Jimmy and his perception of Paul as a kind of father figure. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 Mosser never let the trauma of her childhood define the course of her life, and gives plenty of credit to other family members, especially her dad’s younger brother Robert, who became a father figure to her and grandfather to her children. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 After the loss of her father in 2019, his role as a father figure became even more meaningful. — Christina Cardona, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for father figure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure

Noun

The two, who were getting married on Lake Catherine, were celebrating their night before at Natalie’s dad’s house on the lake.

— Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
His dad held the Bible as Blair posed with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, for a ceremonial swearing-in, a hallmark for new members of Congress.

— Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dad

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fathered (on)

father figure

father figures

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“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of father figure

noun

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