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
What is rarely recounted is the key role played in that coup by two leading ayatollahs—Abol-Qasem Kashani and Mohammad Behbahani—who were heroes and mentors to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic.
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Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Video shows Iranians topple Khomeini monument An eyewitness video is circulating showing crowds taking down a monument to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
This is not the America our founding fathers envisioned — not one where journalists face arrest for covering protests and holding power accountable.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Redesign amid the Olympic rules Jean spent nearly a year working on the uniforms, only to be told last month that the image of Haiti’s founding father violated the International Olympic Committee rules prohibiting political, religious or racial propaganda at Olympic venues and on uniforms.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
Video shows Iranians topple Khomeini monument An eyewitness video is circulating showing crowds taking down a monument to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026
This is not the America our founding fathers envisioned — not one where journalists face arrest for covering protests and holding power accountable.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Redesign amid the Olympic rules Jean spent nearly a year working on the uniforms, only to be told last month that the image of Haiti’s founding father violated the International Olympic Committee rules prohibiting political, religious or racial propaganda at Olympic venues and on uniforms.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding father
Noun
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One of the first to mourn Browne’s passing was Craig Hella Johnson, founder and artistic director of Conspirare, the Grammy-winning professional choral ensemble.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2026
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Louis Ducret, founder of the digital insurance platform Eprezto, said the best way forward is full transparency.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His efficiency from three-point range this season, combined with his willingness to take open looks, adds spacing around Jalen Brunson and the Knicks’ primary creators.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Several content creators who focus on pop culture analysis condemned the display of domestic violence.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, previously told Reuters that his father's arrest about a year ago was due to a misunderstanding with police officers.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Her father was seated on a chair with one foot tucked under him, and her mother was sitting on the sofa with both feet curled under her.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20father. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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