variants
also forbear
as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
his forebears came to America on the Mayflower
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forebear
Or perhaps Nadella is just craftier than his forebears.
—
Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
His forebears fought the French at the Battle of Agincourt.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
In the 2021 Aria collection celebrating Gucci’s 100-year anniversary, Alessandro Michele checked his forebear’s list not once but twice, with his-and-hers versions.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Thus, the adaptation is a dialogue-heavy film (and not only by comparison with its silent forebear, which indeed has dialogue, in the form of intertitles) and a sluggish, lugubrious one.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forebear 
Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
His forebears fought the French at the Battle of Agincourt.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
In the 2021 Aria collection celebrating Gucci’s 100-year anniversary, Alessandro Michele checked his forebear’s list not once but twice, with his-and-hers versions.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Thus, the adaptation is a dialogue-heavy film (and not only by comparison with its silent forebear, which indeed has dialogue, in the form of intertitles) and a sluggish, lugubrious one.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forebear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear
Noun
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This year’s theme — A Whole Harvest Dining Experience — will involve meals that use an entire plant, as the ancestors of today’s Black chefs did.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2025
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During the Lunar New Year period, families and loved ones gather to eat traditional holiday foods and pay their respects to their ancestors.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The trouble began when the OP reserved a shaded table for her elderly father, who had recently undergone surgery.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Buckley’s father, musician Tim Buckley, died of a heroin overdose when Jeff was 8, and Jeff was raised by his mother, Mary Guibert, who has been the keeper of his archive since his death.—
Rebecca Keegan,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Patrick Mahomes’ grandfather has entered hospice, the Chiefs MVP quarterback’s mother revealed Friday morning.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
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Kai Trump's social media is skyrocketing after her grandfather's reelection.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near forebear
Cite this Entry
“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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