1
as in dads
a male human parent
the special relationship that exists between fathers and sons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in founders
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor
Sir Isaac Newton is regarded by many as the father of modern science
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grandfathers
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
our fathers founded this nation on the fundamental belief that no person is entitled to rule by divine right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sires
to become the father of
Paul Revere somehow found room in his small house for the large family he had fathered
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 fathers
Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
These boys are our future college graduates, workforce, homeowners and fathers.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
The benefit applied to both mothers and fathers, according to Little’s release.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Her cast helps to, with three generations of actors portraying fathers and sons, including the late Mohammad Bakri, who plays an older version of Sharif.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Elsewhere in his conversation with the Times, Levy got emotional when asked about his tendency to tell stories about fathers and sons (think Real Steel, Night at the Museum, and The Adam Project).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly orchestrate the clandestine love affair between their children, are now mothers.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, some famous fathers have doubled that average age, becoming dads past the age of 65.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 7 Nov. 2025
Husbands and fathers were supposed to meet their major needs for food, shelter, and clothing.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
The teacher hosted career days during which fathers came to tell us about their jobs.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
These boys are our future college graduates, workforce, homeowners and fathers.
—Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
The benefit applied to both mothers and fathers, according to Little’s release.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Her cast helps to, with three generations of actors portraying fathers and sons, including the late Mohammad Bakri, who plays an older version of Sharif.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Elsewhere in his conversation with the Times, Levy got emotional when asked about his tendency to tell stories about fathers and sons (think Real Steel, Night at the Museum, and The Adam Project).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly orchestrate the clandestine love affair between their children, are now mothers.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, some famous fathers have doubled that average age, becoming dads past the age of 65.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 7 Nov. 2025
Husbands and fathers were supposed to meet their major needs for food, shelter, and clothing.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fathers
Noun
-
One do-it-yourselfer demonstrating step-by-step how to rewire an electrical outlet via a TikTok video replaces thousands of dads and grandpas who could do the same thing.—
Nolan Finley The Detroit News,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Have any of the dads responded?—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The founders argue that automation should be accessible to smaller operators, including neighborhood bars and private event spaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Sign up for our weekly, original newsletter that goes beyond the annual Disruptor 50 list, offering a closer look at list-making companies and their innovative founders.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their twins—John and William, named for their grandfathers—were lost.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Nov. 2025
-
In his latest partnership with Ancestry as part of the organization’s Thank You for Your Service campaign, Bass got to learn even more about both of his grandfathers’ service in the war.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The options are vast, ranging from Rita Ora vamping on one station and drunk gay daddies being spotlighted on another.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Some people's mommies and daddies really, really struggle with money, and that is not something to ever make fun of somebody for.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lenovo also positions the system for creators.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
El Dorado County, east of Sacramento, sends a letter to creators of unauthorized displays asking for their removal within 30 days and informing them of a memorial sign program.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Susanne Hammel-Sawyer grew up in Santa Barbara knowing nearly nothing about the traditions of her Chumash ancestors.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In October 2024, the lab firm used genealogical mapping, in which unidentified DNA is traced to relatives and ancestors to produce a more precise genetic profile and possible identity, to point to Contreras, according to the affidavit.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yet Sorry, Baby doesn’t elide Agnes’s trauma, either; it is punctuated with moments—from Agnes answering a jury duty summons to a third-act revelation that begets a panic attack—to indicate, in no uncertain terms, that she’s been affected on a cellular level.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
29 Dec. 2025
-
His eldest son—William, of course, though he is not immediately identified as such—defrays his father’s debts by tutoring Agnes’s younger brothers in Latin, an arrangement that begets many reversals of fortune.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By then, showrunner-auteur Lear had parlayed the All in the Family base camp into a virtual multiverse of spin-offs (Maude, The Jeffersons) and spawns (Sanford and Son).—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Dec. 2025
-
What sets the game apart is its AI engine, which spawns countless non-player characters (NPCs) with unique storylines and characteristics.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fathers. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share