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
And, when John was murdered outside the Dakota on Dec. 8, 1980, Mintz stepped in to become Yoko’s rock as well as a father figure to the couple’s young son, Sean.
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Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024
In 1995, Kiryu has two father figures: the ex-yakuza who raised him in an orphanage and his clan leader.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024
In a dramatic turn, Cleo’s old friend and father figure, Terrance, sacrifices his life to save hers at the end of Episode 4.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
And in the last decade or so, after Cohan sold to Joe Lacob and the Warriors leaped to a whole new level, Al was the franchise’s benevolent father figure.
—Tim Kawakami, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for father figure 
Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024
In 1995, Kiryu has two father figures: the ex-yakuza who raised him in an orphanage and his clan leader.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024
In a dramatic turn, Cleo’s old friend and father figure, Terrance, sacrifices his life to save hers at the end of Episode 4.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
And in the last decade or so, after Cohan sold to Joe Lacob and the Warriors leaped to a whole new level, Al was the franchise’s benevolent father figure.
—Tim Kawakami, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for father figure
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Cite this Entry
“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/father%20figure. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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