father figure

Definition of father figurenext
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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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 figure Of course, Father’s Day brunch ideas must go beyond casual weekday toast and cereal, because the fathers and father figures in our lives deserve a little extra effort. Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 May 2026 My favorite part is infamous flopper LeBron James standing there nodding in approval at everything an irate Austin Reaves is saying like an approving father figure. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026 Patterson played Luke, a father figure to Alexis Bledel's Rory on the beloved TV show and the love interest to Lauren Graham's Lorelai Gilmore. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 The lawyer pulled up more than a dozen emails showing the once-budding actress fawning over the Oscar-winning producer and seeking his counsel like a father figure. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for father figure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for father figure
Noun
  • Instead of feeling alone, their daughter suddenly had her dad right beside her — with his own crazy hairstyle to match.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
  • Everybody’s got a dad, everybody’s got a mom, lots of people have sons and daughters, people are in relationships.
    Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • Wilson’s father was a Presbyterian minister, and Wilson read the Bible daily.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
  • The backstory The property was built in 1835 as a private home for Sarah Lydia Robbins Howe, whose father Edward Hutchinson Robbins served as Massachusetts’ sixth lieutenant governor.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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