as in fathers
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
this tradition has been passed down from our pioneer grandfathers
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Recent Examples of grandfathers
Their twins—John and William, named for their grandfathers—were lost.
—
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
In his latest partnership with Ancestry as part of the organization’s Thank You for Your Service campaign, Bass got to learn even more about both of his grandfathers’ service in the war.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Civil Code Section 4740 grandfathers rental prohibitions, while Section 4741 bans rental prohibitions and unreasonable restrictions.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
This is the legacy of our fathers and grandfathers.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
Smith and Christian’s respective grandfathers were their catalysts into vintage fashion.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Once the territory of grandfathers and sitcom nerds, sweater vests have had a resurgence over the last decade.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
His father served in the Air Force, and both of his grandfathers served in World War II, including one who was a prisoner of war.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
One of her grandfathers, Tony Soetaert, was one of Shawnee’s longest-serving mayors.
—Pj Green
october 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
In his latest partnership with Ancestry as part of the organization’s Thank You for Your Service campaign, Bass got to learn even more about both of his grandfathers’ service in the war.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Civil Code Section 4740 grandfathers rental prohibitions, while Section 4741 bans rental prohibitions and unreasonable restrictions.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
This is the legacy of our fathers and grandfathers.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
Smith and Christian’s respective grandfathers were their catalysts into vintage fashion.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Once the territory of grandfathers and sitcom nerds, sweater vests have had a resurgence over the last decade.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
His father served in the Air Force, and both of his grandfathers served in World War II, including one who was a prisoner of war.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
One of her grandfathers, Tony Soetaert, was one of Shawnee’s longest-serving mayors.
—Pj Green
october 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandfathers
Noun
-
Bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile aimed wrathful lyrics and gallows humor at a culture of misogyny that plagued their daily lives, from condescending male musicians to abusive fathers.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
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Prosecutors would not comment on what type of abuse the 6-year-old girl suffered, but according to Bartlett, both Kina and a fourth child are currently in the custody of their fathers.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nor can Brownfield vote in Squaxin elections, or harvest clams on the Salish Sea beaches where her ancestors did so for generations.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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The biologists believe that early monitor lizards, including the ancestors of Australian monitors known as goannas, originally lost their osteoderms because an active, pursuit-hunting lifestyle favored speed and agility over heavy body armor.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandfathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandfathers. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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