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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 forebear
Carter Woodson’s last name indicates a forebear was John Woodson, an English immigrant at the dawn of America and an owner of enslaved Africans.
—
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
Ever since the singer entered the pantheon of famous blondes, she’s been quick to reference her forebears through fashion.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
In the gathering of such thoughts, Shafak conjures the spirits of her literary forebears.
—Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025
This entry was no different and was as complex as its lauded forebears.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forebear
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
Ever since the singer entered the pantheon of famous blondes, she’s been quick to reference her forebears through fashion.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
In the gathering of such thoughts, Shafak conjures the spirits of her literary forebears.
—Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025
This entry was no different and was as complex as its lauded forebears.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forebear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear
Noun
-
The Cajuns of south Louisiana trace their ancestors to the French Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia around 1755.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Capes were an homage to the ones worn by his shepherd ancestors, who practiced transhumance in the Caucasus for centuries, reworked by Gassanoff in a sheer chiffon-like fabric or in a thick wool version, both with very structured silhouettes.—
Alberto Calabrese,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Her father Subbarayudu Konanki and a family friend reportedly filed a complaint on Sunday calling for local police to expand the investigation.—
Greg Norman,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Desperate for any chance to assist his father, Samson Calthorpe jumps at the opportunity to become an English court spy.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Journalism is part of my heritage: My great great grandfather was a Civil War correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Not only with the union, but with many beyond the company’s workers – including its retirees and a much larger number of voters spread across the industrial Midwest who remember the company’s former might, when their fathers, grandfathers or even great-grandfathers worked there.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share