as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations
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Recent Examples of forefather
Yet another way to think of him is as a forefather of the light and space movement of the 1960s and ’70s.
—
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency.
—Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
On Andor, Luna plays renegade Cassian Andor who ultimately becomes one of the forefathers of the Rebellion in Star Wars.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
National Review exists to hold out a lantern in the dark, to help our readers — and each other — to grope through the long night, and to find steadying wisdom of our forefathers.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency.
—Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
On Andor, Luna plays renegade Cassian Andor who ultimately becomes one of the forefathers of the Rebellion in Star Wars.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
National Review exists to hold out a lantern in the dark, to help our readers — and each other — to grope through the long night, and to find steadying wisdom of our forefathers.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forefather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather
Noun
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The ephemerides were the ancestors of astronomical tables, which still exist.—
James Byrne,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
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The auntie’s going to always be there for her niece as an ancestor.—
Fox Maxy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Eala’s grandfather, a tennis buff, introduced all his grandchildren to the sport at his local club.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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The complainants said the abusive behavior began as soon as Farley, a 26-year veteran of the department whose father and grandfather were deputy chiefs, was appointed the top job.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His father, Dave, served as a Virginia assistant in the 1980s.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
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Iceland’s public broadcaster reported that the relationship was kept secret but that the father was present for the birth of his child and initially allowed contact, but nearly all access was cut off before his son turned 1.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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