FOREFATHER Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

forefather

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər

Definition of forefather

as in ancestor

a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations

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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 forefather Kelly was one of the most prominent Black fashion designers of the 1980s, and his peers included Willi Smith, known as a forefather of modern-day streetwear, and Dapper Dan, a beloved auteur of hip-hop haberdashery. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 2 June 2026 Our economic systems are not serving the people who live here, whose forefathers established this new republic, and our grandparents actualized the peak of its success. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Our forefathers believed that democracy was the best means to establish a meritocracy. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026 Moritz Grossmann was one of the forefathers of German watchmaking in Glashütte. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forefather

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather

Noun

The group includes people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
The Maori tell a story about how a godwit showed their ancestors the way from their ancient homeland of Hawaiki to New Zealand, more than a thousand miles away.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancestor

Noun

Nearly a century after his great-grandfathers played college football, USC freshman defensive lineman Luke Wafle is emerging as a generational talent.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
To Diana, who has taken over First Desk at the Park after last season’s events, River’s refusal to take bereavement leave gives her license to speak about his grandfather’s funeral arrangements with her usual cool formality.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of grandfather

Noun

This, together with the execution of Lyanna’s father and oldest brother by Rhaegar’s father, the titular Mad King Aerys II, spurs Lyanna’s betrothed, Robert Baratheon (Callum Woodhouse), to move against Aerys.

— Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Crooks adopted the Dole pseudonym after his father's checking account had been hacked and fraudulent gambling charges appeared, Matthew Crooks told investigators.

— Michael Ruiz , Kelley Kramer, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of father

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foredooms

forefather

forefathers

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“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of forefather

noun

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