FOUNDING FATHER Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

founding father

noun

Definition of founding father

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

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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 The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Konrad Adenauer, the Italian Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi, and the Belgian Socialist statesman Paul-Henri Spaak are likewise counted among the European founding fathers. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The history of redlining, segregation and the lack of generational wealth shows how decisions made by the founding fathers created the landscape that exists for Black people in present day. — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Also on campus, the Old Capitol Museum retraces the footsteps of the state’s founding fathers in Iowa’s original Capitol, while the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History explores Iowa’s 500 million years of history. — Samantha Lande, Midwest Living, 30 July 2026 But a century ago, even the founding fathers were thinking about the future of this fruit. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for founding father

Recent Examples of Synonyms for founding father

Noun

Another ideological ally is Peter Thiel, a co-founder of software firm Palantir who temporarily moved his family to Buenos Aires in April.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Axios reported in June that Virtue AI co-founders Bo Li, Dawn Song, and Sanmi Koyejo were joining Meta along with other employees from the startup.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of founder

Noun

Atlantika Films’ Nano Arrieta-creator and producer with Claudia Ruíz — shares the writing room with Popy Blasco, Ibai Ariztegi and Bárbara Zemelman.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Official outlets can quote from posts on fake accounts whose creators masquerade as ordinary members of the public, making a fringe claim seem normal.

— RENÉE DIRESTA, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of creator

Noun

Ellison clinched the deal by sweetening the offer price and bringing his father, Larry Ellison, in to personally guarantee funding.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Gyllenhaal’s father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, is a director and her mother, Naomi Foner, a screenwriter.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of father

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“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/founding%20father. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of founding father

noun

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