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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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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Examples of father in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2024
His death was confirmed to NPR by his father, Corey Lamar, who did not provide a cause of death.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024
Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 26 July 2024
Elon Musk has fathered a 12th child − and people online have passionate reactions about the news.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for father 
Noun
The father of 14-year-old student Colt Gray, the suspect in the Georgia school shooting that took place on Wednesday, Sept. 4, has been arrested.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2024
His death was confirmed to NPR by his father, Corey Lamar, who did not provide a cause of death.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024
Verb
During Drake and Lamar’s exchange of diss tracks in April and May, the rappers fired off some serious accusations at each another, including Lamar’s claims that Drake is guilty of pedophilia and has secretly fathered a second child — both of which Drake later denied.
—Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 26 July 2024
Elon Musk has fathered a 12th child − and people online have passionate reactions about the news.
—Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for father
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'father.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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