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
Thanks to the brilliance of our founding fathers, there are some areas where governments are strictly limited in their ability to consider trade-offs.
—
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Whitefield, one of the most influential public figures of the 18th century, and printer, thinker and founding father Franklin formed a bond rooted in shared concern for the future of the colonies.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Many Cubans do not believe that Díaz-Canel holds much power in Cuba, anyway, as opposed to revolutionary founding father Raúl Castro and his family.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The epicenter of it all is the manor, home to the town's founding father, John, and his wife, Ruth.
—Kim Hudson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Whitefield, one of the most influential public figures of the 18th century, and printer, thinker and founding father Franklin formed a bond rooted in shared concern for the future of the colonies.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Many Cubans do not believe that Díaz-Canel holds much power in Cuba, anyway, as opposed to revolutionary founding father Raúl Castro and his family.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The epicenter of it all is the manor, home to the town's founding father, John, and his wife, Ruth.
—Kim Hudson, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding father
Noun
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Today guests come not from Rome as the Cité’s founders did, but from across France, northern Spain (the border is just two hours away), England (there are direct Ryanair flights to Carcassonne’s small airport), as well as the US.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
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The idea to create these pieces, which deftly straddle the world of art and fashion, came from a sketch that founder Erin Saluti made more than a decade ago—her dream purse, made from a block of wood.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Abughazelah has been viewed with controversy as content creators step into the political world.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
-
Business owners and creators launch a project and set a funding goal with a deadline.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The toughest part was telling his father, Lewis, his biggest champion.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
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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
“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20father. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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