FOREBEAR Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

forebear

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌber

variants also forbear

Definition of forebear

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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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 forebear Harking back to its Jurassic forbear, The End of Oak Street channels everyone's favorite '80s Amblin classics, but with a far more vicious bite. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 Some of his forebears emigrated before the genocide; others barely got out. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 19 July 2026 Over the years, a number of prominent mathematicians tried to prove this guess of their forebears. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 July 2026 Their trajectories have diverged and sometimes overlapped in the 125 years since their forebears moved through the same dusty streets on one November day. — CBS News, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for forebear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear

Noun

Very charming to think of our ancient ancestors getting the munchies.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Throughout the region, remains of 5,500 ancestors that were displaced have been made available for return to the Tohono O’odham Nation, according to ProPublica’s NAGPRA database.

— Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of ancestor

Noun

There’s non-kaiju human death, too, including a flashback to the immediate aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing in which a bloodied grandfather discovers the charred remains of his daughter and grandson.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
His father and grandfather were involved in the case of Pete Pianezzi, a friend who was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting and killing of a gambler and busboy in Los Angeles in 1937.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of grandfather

Noun

Known for his confidence and aggressive playing style, Sears says his father has taught him the importance of staying humble and grounded despite his success.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Rahul, with the priest by his side, empties his father’s ashes into the river.

— Sonia Gandhi, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of father

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“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of forebear

noun

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