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
Rise up like the American forefathers did a few hundred years ago.
—
Joe Hudicka, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The boy’s sensitivities — and love of reading — mark him out for a different path than the field work of his forefathers.
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
The British Last Week Tonight host, who previously served as a writer and correspondent on The Daily Show for seven years, returned during Monday's episode to jokingly celebrate the country becoming just like its forefather.
—EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency.
—Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Joe Hudicka, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The boy’s sensitivities — and love of reading — mark him out for a different path than the field work of his forefathers.
—Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
The British Last Week Tonight host, who previously served as a writer and correspondent on The Daily Show for seven years, returned during Monday's episode to jokingly celebrate the country becoming just like its forefather.
—EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency.
—Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather
Noun
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Like all Guna, Lisa’s ancestors were not native island dwellers.—
Mark Johanson,
AFAR Media,
22 Apr. 2025
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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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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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