as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor
Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism
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Recent Examples of founding father
There’s a full-scale Magan boat built from palm rope and goat hair, and a replica of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed’s iconic Chrysler.
—
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Hindi cinema once reflected secular, democratic values championed by India’s founding fathers.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Many of the nation's founding fathers were Protestant and held Judeo-Christian beliefs and values.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025
For starters, the Giants and Steelers are close NFL cousins with founding fathers who were among the league’s first guardians.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Hindi cinema once reflected secular, democratic values championed by India’s founding fathers.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Many of the nation's founding fathers were Protestant and held Judeo-Christian beliefs and values.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025
For starters, the Giants and Steelers are close NFL cousins with founding fathers who were among the league’s first guardians.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding father
Noun
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Every day the co-founder of YourChoice Therapeutics arrives at his startup’s office in San Francisco to do this work.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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That’s the pithy one-liner that menswear creator Elliot Duprey’s followers will sometimes parrot back to him on the streets of New York, after recognizing him from his videos.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mu Hee’s visits her Uncle and Aunt, and requests them to ask her father the whereabouts of her mother.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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My immediate reaction was to run close to the section to aid in the protection and safety of my father and mother, who was with me.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20father. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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