father figure

noun

Synonyms of father figurenext
: a person often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

Examples of father figure in a Sentence

The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To generations of Jayhawks, Ward was a mentor, father figure and, in many ways, the heartbeat of the program. — Latif Love july 21, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 Olyphant makes a captivating father figure, his outlaw-philosopher charm obscuring the inevitable flaws of a man who raised his daughter to be a criminal. — Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2026 Part of his charm here included playing the stalwart father figure to two terrified kids — someone a child could trust to stick around and keep watch all night when the dinosaurs came chomping. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026 Neill played dashing heroes, sinister villains (see The Piano), authority figures, famous figures, and father figures. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for father figure

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of father figure was in 1916

Rhymes for father figure

See All Rhymes for father figure

Browse Nearby Words

father family
father figure
fatherhood
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Cite this Entry

“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father%20figure. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

father figure

noun
fa·​ther figure ˈfät͟h-ər- How to pronounce father figure (audio)
: one often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

More from Merriam-Webster on father figure

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for father figure

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