FOREFATHER Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

forefather

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər

Definition of forefather

as in ancestor

a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations

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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 forefather Kelly was one of the most prominent Black fashion designers of the 1980s, and his peers included Willi Smith, known as a forefather of modern-day streetwear, and Dapper Dan, a beloved auteur of hip-hop haberdashery. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 2 June 2026 Our economic systems are not serving the people who live here, whose forefathers established this new republic, and our grandparents actualized the peak of its success. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Our forefathers believed that democracy was the best means to establish a meritocracy. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026 Moritz Grossmann was one of the forefathers of German watchmaking in Glashütte. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forefather

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather

Noun

Their ancestors had entered the United States through Southern ports, especially New Orleans and Galveston, which gave them a different political and cultural orientation from those who had entered through the East, and above all through New York.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
While the complexities around working within a park that his ancestors had been removed from remain, Mgesi now supports much of his extended family with the steady wage.

— Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancestor

Noun

As a child, Chris Brown recalled his father and grandfather teaching him about how to ride and care for horses, which ultimately led him to his current career.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Jean-Baptiste is the emotionally intuitive grandmother, while Lindo is the disciplined grandfather.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of grandfather

Noun

Following his opera career, Schachtel’s father became a cantor and married a granddaughter of Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, a rabbi of Grodno, after whom the seminary of Yeshiva University is named.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Wickersham said last year that the silver Pontiac G5 car that the suspect used to ram the police SUV belonged to the man's father.

— Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of father

Browse Nearby Words

foredooms

forefather

forefathers

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“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of forefather

noun

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