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
Medical science has blessed our generation with an abundance of preventive methods — including vaccines — and treatments that enable a far greater percentage of us to live longer and healthier lives than our forebears.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Banerjee, who was born in 1963, offered an effusive epilogue to the modernist exhibit, exploring dimensions, textures and scale that many of her artistic forebears could only dream of.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
But while their forebears deconstructed rock conventions, HYPER GAL’s primary influence is the glistening textures of pop.
—Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Yu, who died last year, had forebears.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forebear
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Banerjee, who was born in 1963, offered an effusive epilogue to the modernist exhibit, exploring dimensions, textures and scale that many of her artistic forebears could only dream of.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
But while their forebears deconstructed rock conventions, HYPER GAL’s primary influence is the glistening textures of pop.
—Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Yu, who died last year, had forebears.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forebear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear
Noun
-
The Declaration had many ancestors.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Hallmark’s Romance at Hope Ranch star Hogan will be taking on the role of Grayson Goodwin in the new season, portraying a descendant of one of Port Haven’s founders, Cyrus Goodwin, and an ancestor of Casey Goodwin.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The two had been arguing just a few hours earlier over Sweeney’s reluctance to do chores around the house, his grandfather told police.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The driver who fatally struck a grandfather in Midtown in 2024 was sentenced with 180 days of work release and 30 days of community service last week — a typically light sentence in California, where many vehicular manslaughter cases are charged as misdemeanors.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The toughest part was telling his father, Lewis, his biggest champion.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Her mother, Megan Briones, and younger brother, Teo Briones, are actors, as is her father, Jon Jon Briones.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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