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.
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Recent Examples of father figure
The Italian wants to act like an older brother or father figure to the squad to try to guide them away from danger and these three points are the perfect tonic for their fragile confidence.
—
Jay Harris, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Whether that was a friend, a mentor, a leader, a rival, a coach, a father figure.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Hassan Campbell, who had hung around Zulu Nation, and had seen Bambaataa as a father figure, followed with his own allegations, as did others.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Ryder’s middle name is Russell, in honor of Goldie Hawn’s partner of more than 40 years and Hudson’s father figure, Kurt Russell.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Jay Harris, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Whether that was a friend, a mentor, a leader, a rival, a coach, a father figure.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Hassan Campbell, who had hung around Zulu Nation, and had seen Bambaataa as a father figure, followed with his own allegations, as did others.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Ryder’s middle name is Russell, in honor of Goldie Hawn’s partner of more than 40 years and Hudson’s father figure, Kurt Russell.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
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The foam provided more structure than alternative materials, while the stack height helped my dad keep his neck in alignment despite spending hours seated in the car.—
Mary Beth Skylis,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
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Din Djarin The bounty-hunting gunslinging space dad travels the galaxy in a post-Empire world with a tragic backstory and son Grogu in tow.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Noun
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As the Ado Annie-like Betsy, a horny teen-ager whose father owns a shotgun, Kurtz is playing a character who should be, and kind of is, a one-joke punch line.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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Wilson’s father, Bruce, and Sweeney’s mother, Kelly, are Gayle Wilson’s stepchildren, according to TMZ.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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