variants
also forbear
as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
his forebears came to America on the Mayflower
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forebear
Farmers say their forebears initially enjoyed super yields, but the soil has hardened over time, and yields have plummeted, leading to more chemical use.
—
Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Indeed, while the new Chinese ships may be operationally similar to their historical forebears, the strategic situation in China and Taiwan is far different.
—Colin Flint, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
The live-action Jasmine and Snow White wind up leading their countries, unlike their forebears.
—Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts
By Anne Lawrence-Mathers
Yale University Press: 368 pages, $38
(March 11)
Our medieval forebears saw nothing inconsistent between devout Christian faith and deep belief in magic.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forebear
Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Indeed, while the new Chinese ships may be operationally similar to their historical forebears, the strategic situation in China and Taiwan is far different.
—Colin Flint, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2025
The live-action Jasmine and Snow White wind up leading their countries, unlike their forebears.
—Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts
By Anne Lawrence-Mathers
Yale University Press: 368 pages, $38
(March 11)
Our medieval forebears saw nothing inconsistent between devout Christian faith and deep belief in magic.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forebear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear
Noun
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Like all Guna, Lisa’s ancestors were not native island dwellers.—
Mark Johanson,
AFAR Media,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Water bottle The modern-day source of water for many people—their water bottle—may be just as germ-filled as our ancient ancestors’ go-to watering hole.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At the time of their father’s death, Colton and McKenna were just 8 and 6 years old, respectively.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Wisconsin woman sells home, travels full-time after personal loss Ashley Kay sold her home, bought a truck and embarked on an adventure across North and South America following her father's unexpected death.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But in a twist of fate, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust (Baldwin), breaks him out of jail, and the two flee to Mexico.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
1 May 2025
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Brant, Willem and Bonnie are all adults now and Idol is a gleeful grandfather of four, aged 2 to 5.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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