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
In the first scene, the young man, whose mordantly resonant name is George Washington Black, or Wash (Ernest Kingsley Junior), is showing a father figure named Medwin, played by Brown, one of his latest inventions, a small prototype for a blimp.
—
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
Thomas: Marv is my father figure and my coach all in one.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
What first seems heartbreaking for Ray, who is established as Stevie’s employer and father figure, soon turns out to be an even more shocking reveal.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 July 2025
Father's Day – the annual holiday celebrating dads, father figures and other paternal bonds – is in June.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
Thomas: Marv is my father figure and my coach all in one.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
What first seems heartbreaking for Ray, who is established as Stevie’s employer and father figure, soon turns out to be an even more shocking reveal.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 July 2025
Father's Day – the annual holiday celebrating dads, father figures and other paternal bonds – is in June.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
-
The best scene partner and dad in the world.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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One of the three siblings had been with their dad at the time of the incident and was placed in police custody following the shootout, officials said at the time.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Chilean-American actress and singer did not reveal the age of her child or the identity of the father.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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His father taught him that a husband provides, a wife takes care of children.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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