father figure

noun

Definition of father figurenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of father figure Neill played dashing heroes, sinister villains (see The Piano), authority figures, famous figures, and father figures. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 Upon Hobert’s death, his successor, Ormund, took over as the boy’s father figure. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026 Kai’s father figure, Uncle Six (Byron Mann), is one of the warlords bent on domination, setting up a Star Wars-esque clash between father and son. — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 July 2026 Brooks and Wilder were extremely close as well—basically brothers, although Wilder saw Brooks as more of a father figure. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
  1. dad
  2. father
Noun
  • Indi Star plays Violet Angel, who grew up on a farm and recently suffered a head injury due to a fall on her dad’s tractor, which leads to some comically forgetful moments.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
  • The Goodfellas actor is also dad to Drena, 54; Raphael, 49; 30-year-old twins Julian and Airyn; Elliot, 28; and Helen, 14, all from previous relationships.
    — Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Definition of dad
Noun
  • Armstrong's family bought the home in 1944 after his father had moved them about a dozen times with his job as a government auditor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The first murder is a girl slicing into her slumbering mother’s neck with a hacksaw; then her brother pounds his father’s face in with a baseball bat.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of father

Browse Nearby Words

fathered (on)
father figure
father figures
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Cite this Entry

“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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