father 1 of 2

noun

ˈfä-t͟hər How to pronounce father (audio)
Definition of fathernext
1
as in dad
a male human parent the special relationship that exists between fathers and sons

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2
as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor Sir Isaac Newton is regarded by many as the father of modern science

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grandfather
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent our fathers founded this nation on the fundamental belief that no person is entitled to rule by divine right

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in Lord
capitalized the being worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe let us ask humbly for the blessings of our Father in heaven

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father

2 of 2

verb

as in to sire
to become the father of Paul Revere somehow found room in his small house for the large family he had fathered

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of father
Noun
Her oldest sister, Sonia Gonzalez, said Gonzalez reminds her a lot of their father, who reinvented himself many times over the years. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The news of the arrest caught the attention of the family of Amy McHale, a woman who was once married to Horsch’s father and disappeared nearly 10 years ago. — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Verb
There is a quiet revolution going on in America, and definitely in Atlanta, in how contemporary men are fathering. — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 18 June 2026 It's been reported that a motivating factor in Princess Anne finally making the split official was the discovery that her husband had fathered another child years earlier. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father
  1. dad
  2. founder
  3. grandfather
  4. sire
  5. daddy
  6. creator
  7. ancestor
  8. spawn
Noun
  • Her family is separated when her dad and brother are sold to another plantation.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Alek, who’s been to Arrowhead multiple times to watch Kelce in action, remembered a funny interaction between Kelce and his dad during practice.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of dad
Noun
  • Another room is dedicated to the founder of California’s mission system, Father Junípero Serra.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Other guests in attendance include AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron, Steven Spielberg, Bob Iger, Dana Walden, Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge, Republic Records founders Monte and Avery Lipman and Swift’s longtime tour promoter Louie Messina.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • In 1926, Brian's great-grandfather, Henry Knoebel, opened a pool that would mark the official start of the family’s park.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The supplies will be taken to Miami and then Venezuela by Olarte Transport, said volunteer Andrea Casanova, 28, whose grandfather was in Venezuela when the earthquakes struck.
    — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of grandfather
Verb
  • Gun Runner’s stable still has the brass nameplate of its former occupant, legendary 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, who also sired an impressive line of runners.
    — Graham Cornwell, New York Times, 19 June 2026
  • He was brought to the United States that year, and has since sired four calves.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
Definition of sire
Noun
  • In the black-and-white photo, the daddy-daughter duo appeared to be spending some quality time together.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • In their respective grief, mommy issues, daughter issues, and, in the case of Armand and Daniel, daddy issues, our vampires are giving each other a run for their money over who is the most beautiful, most unwell.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of daddy
Noun
  • Both the primary and extension drive use the standard 1/4-inch hex specification, which, according to the creators, will cover over 95% of random everyday tasks – from bicycle maintenance to small home repairs and furniture assembly.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • News of the upcoming film comes four months after Tilly Norwood's creators released a music video featuring the AI creation appearing to sing a song addressing the public backlash to it.
    — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Kean comes from a long line of public servants, stretching 250 years to the country’s founding when one of his ancestors became New Jersey’s first leader since independence.
    — Mike Catalini, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • One of these is likely the evolutionary ancestor of all that is to come.
    — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of ancestor
Verb
  • But that kind of partnership also spawned because of their circumstances both with their alliance and everything that happened afterwards.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • His passing spawned a slew of articles about the secret to extreme longevity.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of spawn

Phrases Containing father

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fatheads
father
fathered
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Cite this Entry

“Father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on father

Nglish: Translation of father for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about father

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