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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Recent Examples of forefather
Given the more than 130 such institutions in that city, the Yanks have yet to catch up to their forefathers—and still have much to learn.
—
Air Mail, 6 Sep. 2025
Remember: In 1776, our forefathers had the courage to use the power of the press to call attention to a tyrant by the name of King George.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
The younger members of the Katzenellenbogen clan are certain that their forefathers’ way of life is no longer viable.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
So Far Chop’s legacy is cemented as a drill forefather and, as such, one of the most important producers in hip-hop history.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Air Mail, 6 Sep. 2025
Remember: In 1776, our forefathers had the courage to use the power of the press to call attention to a tyrant by the name of King George.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
The younger members of the Katzenellenbogen clan are certain that their forefathers’ way of life is no longer viable.
—Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
So Far Chop’s legacy is cemented as a drill forefather and, as such, one of the most important producers in hip-hop history.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather
Noun
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Her ancestors were from Russia, who later fled to Ukraine and settled in Philadelphia.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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The idea was to go back to the basic foods that their ancestors ate.—
Chrystle Fiedler,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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El Camello says his grandfather always had cars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Named after his grandfather, the late master distiller Booker Noe, this blended whiskey changes with every release, and often highlights some very unusual components (bourbon made from brown rice, for example).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a social media video, Madi said her father's health declined in the months following an early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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The introduction was from my father, who was a friend of his in another lifetime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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