variants
also grandaddy
as in ancestor
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the granddaddy of all English mystery novels
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Recent Examples of granddaddy
Now, there is (to our knowledge) no official record — there is certainly no official method for timing applause — but it’s roundly considered that Guillermo del Toro’s 2006 fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth is the granddaddy of them all at 22 minutes.
—
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Well, the granddaddy of them all was former President Gerald Ford's pardon of former President Richard Nixon in 1974 for allegations or accusations associated with the Watergate scandal.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The Greatest @Home Videos, of course, is an offshoot from the granddaddy of the clips genre, America’s Funniest Home Videos, which has been a staple on ABC for the last 25 years.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Well, the granddaddy of them all was former President Gerald Ford's pardon of former President Richard Nixon in 1974 for allegations or accusations associated with the Watergate scandal.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
The Greatest @Home Videos, of course, is an offshoot from the granddaddy of the clips genre, America’s Funniest Home Videos, which has been a staple on ABC for the last 25 years.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for granddaddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for granddaddy
Noun
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The gift of 'The Mahabharata' that my ancestors gave me is truly the gift that keeps giving.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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The same ancestor who founded this homestead left his own family behind in Georgia; that cold resolve is Hailey’s inheritance too.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral. 20.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Here is a look at some of the most likely forerunners to serve as the 267th pope, according to public reporting.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As of today, Trump has signed 164 executive orders, an extraordinarily brisk pace compared to predecessors (well, most of them: FDR is a standout).—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The Trump administration has taken a much sharper edge than its predecessors, however.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/granddaddy. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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