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father 1 of 2

noun

ˈfä-t͟hər How to pronounce father (audio)
Definition of fathernext
1
as in dad
a male human parent the special relationship that exists between fathers and sons

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2
as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor Sir Isaac Newton is regarded by many as the father of modern science

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grandfather
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent our fathers founded this nation on the fundamental belief that no person is entitled to rule by divine right

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4
as in Lord
capitalized the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe let us ask humbly for the blessings of our Father in heaven

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father

2 of 2

verb

as in to sire
to become the father of Paul Revere somehow found room in his small house for the large family he had fathered

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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 father
Noun
When his father died in 2002, Jeffs succeeded him as prophet and president. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 Born in Ohio, Steinem grew up poor, the daughter of a nomadic antique dealer father and an ex-journalist mother who spent time in psychiatric hospitals. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
His predecessor, Gino, fathered 14 offspring across multiple states over his lifetime, according to Disney. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Before he was arrested and convicted in connection with the 1969 murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, Manson fathered four sons with four different women. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father
  1. dad
  2. founder
  3. grandfather
  4. sire
  5. daddy
  6. creator
  7. ancestor
  8. spawn
Noun
  • His dad would pick him up later, but not before playing nine holes together.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • He is not expected to serve in the Armed Forces before becoming king like his dad, Prince William, and his grandfather, King Charles, breaking a centuries-old tradition.
    — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dad
Noun
  • ConnCAT and ConnCORP founder Carlton Highsmith, who serves as the board chair of both organizations, had already announced his own plans to step down at the end of the year.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Sidney Baptista, founder of Pynrs streetwear — which has collaborated with Brooks Running — brought up ownership in fashion as well in conversation with Brooks athlete and pro marathoner Erika Kemp.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • As a child, Chris Brown recalled his father and grandfather teaching him about how to ride and care for horses, which ultimately led him to his current career.
    — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Jean-Baptiste is the emotionally intuitive grandmother, while Lindo is the disciplined grandfather.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of grandfather
Verb
  • Somebody fell out of love — a complaint sired this inspection.
    — David J. Neal July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Gun Runner’s stable still has the brass nameplate of its former occupant, legendary 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, who also sired an impressive line of runners.
    — Graham Cornwell, New York Times, 19 June 2026
Definition of sire
Noun
  • Everyone has heard of the ‘crazy cat lady,’ but cat daddies have their own cultural stereotypes.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • And the Indian Premier League, the daddy of franchise cricket leagues, is now into its second generation of private owners, with the whole shebang valued at $20billion.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of daddy
Noun
  • The audience becomes a training environment, available to provide instant feedback to anything a creator publishes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Co-creator and showrunner Dario Scardapane has also exited the series, which is in the midst of post-production.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Their ancestors had entered the United States through Southern ports, especially New Orleans and Galveston, which gave them a different political and cultural orientation from those who had entered through the East, and above all through New York.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • While the complexities around working within a park that his ancestors had been removed from remain, Mgesi now supports much of his extended family with the steady wage.
    — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of ancestor
Verb
  • That garden spawned an annual salsa competition, in which club employees harvest their own ingredients from the planters, make salsa at home, and bring it back to be judged.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The series started out as a 1996 horror video game that has spawned several sequels, spinoffs and remakes, in addition to adaptation across film and TV.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of spawn

Phrases Containing father

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fatheads
father
fathered
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Cite this Entry

“Father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on father

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about father

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