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
To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024
The work provided some vindication to one of the forefathers of coregonine research, Walter Koeltz.
—Keith Matheny, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
There’s a reason our forefathers placed limits on the military’s role in domestic affairs.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 6 Dec. 2024
Our forefathers founded this country, and our grandfathers fought and died, and people are still fighting and dying for our right to argue.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forefather 
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024
The work provided some vindication to one of the forefathers of coregonine research, Walter Koeltz.
—Keith Matheny, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
There’s a reason our forefathers placed limits on the military’s role in domestic affairs.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 6 Dec. 2024
Our forefathers founded this country, and our grandfathers fought and died, and people are still fighting and dying for our right to argue.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forefather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forefather
Noun
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However, many oral histories passed down in indigenous groups in Canada and the U.S. have contradicted this idea, suggesting that smaller groups made the journey over different periods of time and their ancestors told the tales of a great crossing, VOA News reports.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2025
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The driving force for the tour guides is the idea that Black Americans and Muslims must unapologetically tell their own story, an experience that so many of their ancestors were robbed of due to slavery.—
Ahmed Ali Akbar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The local carry-out spot, now run by third-generation owner Jermaine Blackmon, was originally opened in 1952 by his grandfather.—
Chyna Blackmon,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Feb. 2025
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Trump, whose grandfather is President Donald Trump, played during the weekend tournament, while Woods opted to not participate competitively after recently losing his mother.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The boy’s father, Nicolas Barcet, is accused of chasing his son around their home in St. Petersburg, then binding the boy from his shoulders to his feet and leaving him alone in his room, according an arrest affidavit obtained by the Daily News.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2025
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Jojo Gonzalez is endearing and funny as Kisa’s grieving father, Isamu (as well as Isamu’s no-nonsense brother).—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near forefather
Cite this Entry
“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forefather. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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