father figures

plural of father figure
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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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 figures Neill played dashing heroes, sinister villains (see The Piano), authority figures, famous figures, and father figures. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 The momager, 70, marked the holiday on Sunday, June 21, by sharing a sweet photo collage featuring all the father figures in her life. Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of the fathers and father figures (but not in a George Michael way). Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 19 June 2026 There will be live performances, local vendors, free family activities and special recognition for father figures in the community. Felicity Abbott, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Submitted here is an abundance of options, from brunch to burgers to bowling and more, to honor and spoil the father figures in your tribe. Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026 In Spokane, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd organized the first Father’s Day in the United States, one that recognized her Civil War veteran dad who raised her, as well as other father figures. USA Today, 2 June 2026 Of course, Father’s Day brunch ideas must go beyond casual weekday toast and cereal, because the fathers and father figures in our lives deserve a little extra effort. Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figures
Noun
  • Moms and dads across the country rallied Americans to contribute research donations.
    Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The dads telling the dad who was thrown out to leave the beer.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The relationship between Xi and Zhang went back decades, extending not just to their childhoods but all the way back to their fathers, who were comrades in arms in China’s ferocious civil war.
    Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The victims were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and coworkers.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2026

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“Father figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figures. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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