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
Over the past 22 years, Doug has not only been a mentor in the wine business but has also acted as a de facto father figure.
—
Noel Burgess, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
But he was still known as a father figure to the group.
—Ashok Sharma, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
Back had gone on to serve as a kind of surrogate father figure for the bright and nettlesome young man.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024
Ryan was beloved by the hospital staff and fiercely protected and cared for by Dr. Kleiman, who became a friend and father figure to the boy.
—Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for father figure 
Noel Burgess, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
But he was still known as a father figure to the group.
—Ashok Sharma, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
Back had gone on to serve as a kind of surrogate father figure for the bright and nettlesome young man.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024
Ryan was beloved by the hospital staff and fiercely protected and cared for by Dr. Kleiman, who became a friend and father figure to the boy.
—Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 2024.
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