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
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
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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These celebrity dads welcomed kids later in life, even well into their 80s!—
Anya Leon,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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In the comments, many others agreed that this seemed to be a common occurrence for dads.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The new season, which marks the first under iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network, will go beyond the original premise of interviewing famous fathers.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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What YouTube and these social platforms have done is allow people to create entire media groups speaking to very particular communities—to South Asian women or, say, gay fathers over forty.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Father figures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figures. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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