as in founders
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 fathers
Mandato cited writings of several founding fathers, including John Adams, Daniel Webster and John Witherspoon, who argued the country's constitutional system cannot endure without a moral and religious population, and Christian principals are conducive to good citizenship.
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Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
That’s the way the founding fathers intended it.
—Mark Waller, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
In fact, Leticia was established by the Peruvian military in the 1800s and takes its name from the girlfriend of one of its founding fathers.
—John Otis, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
More than a month after his death, Ozzy Osbourne’s music has largely slipped away from the Billboard charts following the headline-grabbing news that one of rock’s founding fathers had passed away.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Building back Luke Bolander is a senior and one of the founding fathers of KU’s new Delta Upsilon chapter, which was reinstated in 2023 after a 2018 scandal where pledges were urinated on, spat on and hit repeatedly for coming forward with hazing reports, The Kansan wrote.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Jobs was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, after having purchased the group from LucasFilm in 1986.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
That’s the way the founding fathers intended it.
—Mark Waller, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
In fact, Leticia was established by the Peruvian military in the 1800s and takes its name from the girlfriend of one of its founding fathers.
—John Otis, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
More than a month after his death, Ozzy Osbourne’s music has largely slipped away from the Billboard charts following the headline-grabbing news that one of rock’s founding fathers had passed away.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Building back Luke Bolander is a senior and one of the founding fathers of KU’s new Delta Upsilon chapter, which was reinstated in 2023 after a 2018 scandal where pledges were urinated on, spat on and hit repeatedly for coming forward with hazing reports, The Kansan wrote.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Jobs was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, after having purchased the group from LucasFilm in 1986.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding fathers
Noun
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That transaction came amid mounting tension between Angel City’s founding lead investor, Alexis Ohanian, and the team’s three co-founders, Julie Uhrman, Kara Nortman and Natalie Portman.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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The Del Mar Historical Society needs a place to teach future generations about the origins of Del Mar, a place to celebrate our founders, our artists, and our scientists.—
Del Mar Historical Society,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Barkin stressed the importance of decentralization and giving both creators and fans a stake in IP.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
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TikTok creators and influencers have been filming themselves pouring honey onto a spoon, or even on the back of their hand, and sprinkling it with salt — many opting for natural options of both — and taking a dose before heading to the gym.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To end the war and reunite the remaining hostages with their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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In one study conducted by sociologist Katherine Conger at the University of California, Davis, fully 65% of mothers and 70% of fathers confessed to having a favorite child.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The organization also consults school district websites and letters sent to school districts and corresponds with librarians, authors and teachers.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
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The actress revealed that the school’s syllabus includes several non-fiction books, ranging from politics in Russia to those penned by early English authors.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Founding fathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20fathers. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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