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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Recent Examples of father figure
David Schwimmer echoed those sentiments, describing Burrows as a mentor and father figure.
—
ABC News,
20 June 2026
There’s a dry, droll seam of generation-gap humor in George’s continued, failed attempts to insert himself as a father figure into the life of someone who never asked for one, and Zeke’s blankly bemused resistance to his efforts.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of the fathers and father figures (but not in a George Michael way).
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
19 June 2026
Ali, who has been the series’ resident mentor, father figure, listening ear, voice of reason and confidant, transforms into what is most analogous to an action hero in a revenge plot.
—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for father figure
ABC News,
20 June 2026
There’s a dry, droll seam of generation-gap humor in George’s continued, failed attempts to insert himself as a father figure into the life of someone who never asked for one, and Zeke’s blankly bemused resistance to his efforts.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of the fathers and father figures (but not in a George Michael way).
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
19 June 2026
Ali, who has been the series’ resident mentor, father figure, listening ear, voice of reason and confidant, transforms into what is most analogous to an action hero in a revenge plot.
—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
-
While the Athletics hosted the Angels in Sacramento, their Single-A affiliate minor league team, Stockton Ports, hosted lots of dads who were excited to take their kids, young and grown, out to the ball game.
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The Cubs have two first-time dads, Swanson and pitcher Javier Assad, who are celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday with a deep appreciation of how fatherhood can affect their lives while navigating the challenges of being a big-leaguer.
Noun
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Doherty's father, uncle, cousin and other family members are buried at the cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts.
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The father, Marquise Anderson, said Joanna wet the bed on two occasions on a night in February at the house in the 1900 block of Daniel Street.
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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