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
Pascal, 50, plays Joel, a strong-willed and protective father figure to Ellie (Bella Ramsey), amidst a world-shaking apocalypse in the HBO series.
—
Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
There are very obvious parental figures for all the Lost Boys, with Dame Sylvia being the matriarch and Arthur being a father figure or a fun uncle for them.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
There’s a lot of symbolism with the absence of the father figure, and the main character, Adelaida, is navigating this world filled with other women while exploring the importance of resilience.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
There are very obvious parental figures for all the Lost Boys, with Dame Sylvia being the matriarch and Arthur being a father figure or a fun uncle for them.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
There’s a lot of symbolism with the absence of the father figure, and the main character, Adelaida, is navigating this world filled with other women while exploring the importance of resilience.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
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With three younger siblings still at home at the time of her father’s incident, as the oldest child, Franklin, took care of them while their mom was out of state with their dad.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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The man's son had asked for a welfare check because his dad hadn’t checked in for a couple of days since sending the photos.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The line in Swift's song and The Life of a Showgirl's cover art appears to be inspired by a Victorian-era painting that depicts the scene in Hamlet when Ophelia goes crazy and falls into a stream and drowns after learning Hamlet killed her father.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Clemishire and her father filed the lawsuit in Dallas County District Court in June.—
Nolan Clay,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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