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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of founding fathers
Their actions weren’t legal under British law, and not all of the founding fathers supported the protest.
—
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
And our founding fathers discussed this extensively in the Constitutional Convention and in the Federalist Papers, from Hamilton to Jefferson, the whole spectrum.
—NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Aside from the Bible, English philosopher John Locke deeply influenced our founding fathers.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
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
No, January 6 was a day our founding fathers would have been standing shoulder to shoulder with us.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Our founding fathers enshrined freedom of speech in the First Amendment, not the second or the 10th, but the first.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
And our founding fathers discussed this extensively in the Constitutional Convention and in the Federalist Papers, from Hamilton to Jefferson, the whole spectrum.
—NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Aside from the Bible, English philosopher John Locke deeply influenced our founding fathers.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
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
No, January 6 was a day our founding fathers would have been standing shoulder to shoulder with us.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Our founding fathers enshrined freedom of speech in the First Amendment, not the second or the 10th, but the first.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding fathers
Noun
-
The program is open to founders and early-stage companies in Charlotte, or those planning to establish themselves here.—
Chase Jordan
January 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Inspired by the founders’ personal stories, the brand explores how fashion can reconnect people and cultures and redefine the value of clothing.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of capturing footage, creators generate shots, often multiple variations of the same scene, then select and refine the results.—
Paul Ratner,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Co-creators and hosts Woods and Nigel Poor, who taught visual arts at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, met at the prison’s media center.—
Victoria Valenzuela,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some are sons named after fathers such as Hall of Famers Earl Averill, Eddie Collins, Tony Gwynn, Vladimir Guerrero, Tim Raines, Ed Walsh and their sons, or Ken Griffey and his Hall of Famer son.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Such op-eds are popping up with the same anti-family messages delivered by different authors.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The study’s authors further stated that the poison found in the artifacts would not have killed prey instantly, but rather slowed prey down, thereby making the animal easier to catch.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Founding fathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20fathers. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
