as in dad
an older man who acts in a paternal role to younger people
The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of father figure
With a reputation as a father figure, the Italian excels at player management and enjoys good relations with Vinicius Junior and other Brazilian players.
—
Samindra Kunti, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Those children came to see him as a father figure, a rugged protector with inviting hazel eyes.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 12 May 2025
At one point in the play, Treat kidnaps Harold, the role Baldwin took on, and finds that the rich businessman makes for an unexpected father figure.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
The actor infuses this unusual father figure with an overprotective streak and a sense of melancholy to match a patchwork body born from parental abuse.
5.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Samindra Kunti, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Those children came to see him as a father figure, a rugged protector with inviting hazel eyes.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 12 May 2025
At one point in the play, Treat kidnaps Harold, the role Baldwin took on, and finds that the rich businessman makes for an unexpected father figure.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
The actor infuses this unusual father figure with an overprotective streak and a sense of melancholy to match a patchwork body born from parental abuse.
5.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
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The two are joined by Bella's dad, Home Secretary Suri Sharma, and an apparent Syrian arms dealer.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Copeland's dad, Micky, had been killed in a car wreck that March, just as the world shut down because of the covid pandemic.—
Sheila Yount,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
Noun
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His father, who attended college in Texas after immigrating to the United States, is a longtime fan of Americana and the Old West, and his penchant for artists like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton served as Shaboozey’s first taste of country.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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The novel is set during this period of intense anti-Chinese sentiments, and Celia’s father is killed in these massacres.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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