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 Denver Pyle as Uncle Jesse Duke Pyle — who had already appeared in dozens of projects, including on The Andy Griffith Show and in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde — played Uncle Jesse, the Duke family’s moral compass and father figure. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 Over the years, DeSean Jackson often referred to Reid as a father figure. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 When Urich was young, his father suffered a disabling stroke; Netanyahu became a father figure to him. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 Part of the team’s entire 46-year history, Unzué is the 71-year-old father figure that no one wants to let go of. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for father figure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure

Noun

Mitt reminds me of these famous sports dads — Earl Woods, Richard Williams, Marv Marinovich — who put a golf club or tennis racket or football in their kids’ cribs.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
O'Hara's daughter, Kayla Kerney, is an intern in the program and grew up seeing her dad fight fires.

— Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dad

Noun

The trip marks the first visit by a Spanish monarch to the two cities since Felipe's father, Juan Carlos I, toured them in 2007.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
For Rukhsar Amrohi, who also calls Kumari Chhoti Ammi, the film is a token of the couple’s love, made by her father out of his love for Kumari.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of father

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of father figure

noun

Example Sentences

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