father figure
noun
: a person often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father
Examples of father figure in a Sentence
The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.
Recent Examples on the Web
Editor’s picks Speaking of God: The first story concerns a Job-like figure named Robert (Jesse Plemons) whose faith in his all-knowing father figure is being tested.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2024
Her gruesome death, replete with crucifixion imagery, is the tragedy that shapes her daughter’s life and seeds her obsessive quest for revenge against the man who positions himself as a father figure.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
The sequel to the 2020 family spy comedy returns Chloe Coleman as the now-teenage Sophie and Dave Bautista as CIA agent/father figure JJ.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
Father's Day – the annual holiday celebrating dads, father figures and other paternal bonds – is in June.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 13 May 2024
The couple shared one child together, and López was a father figure to Franco's two other children.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
By then, Lucille had remarried Phillip, whom Shaq saw as his father figure.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The accusations against Mr. Nash, who had served as a father figure to many of his athletes over the years, both on and off the water, were made public in 2023 when Ms. Fox told her story to The New York Times.
—Juliet MacUr, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2024
Blake Shelton loves being a father figure to wife Gwen Stefani's boys.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2024
Her gruesome death, replete with crucifixion imagery, is the tragedy that shapes her daughter’s life and seeds her obsessive quest for revenge against the man who positions himself as a father figure.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
The sequel to the 2020 family spy comedy returns Chloe Coleman as the now-teenage Sophie and Dave Bautista as CIA agent/father figure JJ.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024
Father's Day – the annual holiday celebrating dads, father figures and other paternal bonds – is in June.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 13 May 2024
The couple shared one child together, and López was a father figure to Franco's two other children.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
By then, Lucille had remarried Phillip, whom Shaq saw as his father figure.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
Editors’ Picks The accusations against Mr. Nash, who had served as a father figure to many of his athletes over the years, both on and off the water, were made public in 2023 when Ms. Fox told her story to The New York Times.
—Juliet MacUr, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2024
Blake Shelton loves being a father figure to wife Gwen Stefani's boys.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'father figure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near father figure
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father%20figure. Accessed 22 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
father figure
noun
fa·ther figure
ˈfät͟h-ər- 
: one often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father
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