as in dads
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 figures
Bella Ramsey takes a break from killing zombies and avenging father figures, their usual pastimes in series The Last of Us, to fool around and fall in love in Sunny Dancer, a decidedly uneven but fitfully charming, YA-skewed British comedy-drama.
—
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Confidence Men is a story about the battle for Bobby’s soul between two father figures, showing the depth of loyalty that tough SOB Special Agent Russo had for this young man, who in his words was the most talented CI there ever was — better than most undercover agents.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
All grandfathers, uncles, fathers and father figures are invited.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
The actor has also brought that perspective to the screen, playing memorable father figures — most notably Larry in Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird.
—Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
This year’s event invites fathers and father figures to treat their daughters to a dazzling night inspired by the jazz age.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Not the revenge thing, but the part about sons emulating their fathers (or father figures).
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Confidence Men is a story about the battle for Bobby’s soul between two father figures, showing the depth of loyalty that tough SOB Special Agent Russo had for this young man, who in his words was the most talented CI there ever was — better than most undercover agents.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
All grandfathers, uncles, fathers and father figures are invited.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
The actor has also brought that perspective to the screen, playing memorable father figures — most notably Larry in Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird.
—Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
This year’s event invites fathers and father figures to treat their daughters to a dazzling night inspired by the jazz age.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Not the revenge thing, but the part about sons emulating their fathers (or father figures).
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figures
Noun
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Transcription’s third section, in certain respects a distorted mirror of the first, is somehow even more about dads and Apple products.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Built off the foundation laid by Fisher’s 2023 short of the same name about some of the same subjects, the film gets across the diversity of these parents’ experiences, ranging from dads who didn’t get it at first to others who were quicker to understand and accept their children’s feelings.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dressed in white ballgowns and escorted by their mothers and either their fathers or uncles, each Ticktocker was given a moment on stage to be honored with a brief bio and a slideshow of special moments in their lives.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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More responders as well as the climbers’ fathers, who’d driven up from the North Bay, were waiting in the trailhead parking lot.—
Gregory Thomas,
San Francisco Chronicle,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Father figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figures. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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