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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of father figure
For Edwards to call him a father figure touched him in a way no professional award ever could.
—
Ashley Vega, People.com, 8 May 2025
Who was Bill Toney? Toney was the oldest of four siblings and was became a father figure to his younger brothers and sister when their own dad died too young, said DeeDee Toney-Horen, Toney's widow.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Brighton’s 15-year-old attacking star from a family of footballers
The youngster, who is Jack Hinshelwood's cousin, is having a huge impact at youth-team level and holding his own against older players
Jack has been a father figure to Harry, who is a versatile attacker.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 21 May 2025
And for all the other father figures in your life—like your grandpa, stepdad, and brothers—multi-tool gadgets and cozy robes never fail to impress.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Ashley Vega, People.com, 8 May 2025
Who was Bill Toney? Toney was the oldest of four siblings and was became a father figure to his younger brothers and sister when their own dad died too young, said DeeDee Toney-Horen, Toney's widow.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Brighton’s 15-year-old attacking star from a family of footballers
The youngster, who is Jack Hinshelwood's cousin, is having a huge impact at youth-team level and holding his own against older players
Jack has been a father figure to Harry, who is a versatile attacker.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 21 May 2025
And for all the other father figures in your life—like your grandpa, stepdad, and brothers—multi-tool gadgets and cozy robes never fail to impress.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
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First of all, my dad was a big baseball fan and grew up watching the Yankees.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 June 2025
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Austin shot his dad to protect Georgia and witnessed his mom suffocate Tom.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Killmonger’s deeper motivation is sadder and less grandiose: His father, the brother of the late king, was murdered by Wakandan agents, forcing Killmonger to grow up alone and exiled from his ancestral homeland.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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In the show, Youssef also voices the young Rumi Hussein, and his father Hussein — a deliriously entertaining track that Brady pushed for.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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