Synonyms of grandfather

grandfather

noun

ˈgran(d)-ˌfä-t͟hər 

as in father

a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent

this tradition has been passed down from our pioneer grandfathers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• father
• ancestor
• grandmother
• forefather
• progenitor
• forebear
• primogenitor
• forebearer
• predecessor
• patriarch
• ancestry
• matriarch
• ancestress
• grandsire
• antecessor
• foremother
• sire
• antecedents
• roots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• descendant
• family
• children
• son
• daughter
• offspring
• issue
• stock
• seed
• lineage
• progeny
• posterity
• successor
• heir
• inheritor
• scion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grandfather

The name carries a rich legacy; over Digger’s mantelpiece hangs a shovel with which his grandfather struck black gold in Texas, in 1917. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Her grandfather Elia Kazan did just that in 1955 with his Dean-starring classic. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

Built in 1951 and originally owned by Newsom’s maternal grandfather, the property was subsequently passed down to his mother, Tessa, who ultimately sold it in the 1970s. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026

Complementing the documentary, campaign imagery features Bennett’s grandfather, adding another deeply personal dimension to the project, while Bennett himself directed the campaign film. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026