as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor
Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism
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 founding father
Critics accused Miranda of downplaying the role of slavery and of glorifying the founding fathers who supported it.
—
Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2025
Building back Luke Bolander is a senior and one of the founding fathers of KU’s new Delta Upsilon chapter, which was reinstated in 2023 after a 2018 scandal where pledges were urinated on, spat on and hit repeatedly for coming forward with hazing reports, The Kansan wrote.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Jobs was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, after having purchased the group from LucasFilm in 1986.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
He’s seen how the show’s political themes and its depiction of America’s founding fathers have resonated with audiences in different ways as the political landscape of the country has changed.
—Gordon Cox, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2025
Building back Luke Bolander is a senior and one of the founding fathers of KU’s new Delta Upsilon chapter, which was reinstated in 2023 after a 2018 scandal where pledges were urinated on, spat on and hit repeatedly for coming forward with hazing reports, The Kansan wrote.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Jobs was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, after having purchased the group from LucasFilm in 1986.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
He’s seen how the show’s political themes and its depiction of America’s founding fathers have resonated with audiences in different ways as the political landscape of the country has changed.
—Gordon Cox, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding father
Noun
-
The manhunt for the person who killed Charlie Kirk, the influential founder of the right-wing youth activist group Turning Point USA, has entered its second day.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk, 31, is a right-wing political activist and co-founder of the Turning Point USA nonprofit that promotes far-right policies and politics on high school and college campuses.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The documentary, celebrating the life and legacy of Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Reubens, received the honor of Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Shot on a real-life lavish Utah estate, Mountainhead is another modern satire from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — who reunited with that HBO drama’s composer Nicholas Britell for more unforgettable music.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Celebrating the assassination of a 31 year old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
His father, a hard-working Russian immigrant and patriotic US bomber pilot, taught him to respect authority.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20father. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share