variants
also forbear
as in ancestor
a person who is several generations earlier in an individual's line of descent
his forebears came to America on the Mayflower
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of forebear
Chappell Roan represents a brave new generation of artists who aren’t as pliable or agreeable as their pop forebears—less willing to cozy up to political power and a little more aware, independent, and in control of their influence.
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Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024
Over a quarter century later, Garza has compiled an online database with 1.1 million names from northeastern Mexico and Texas, and feels no need to distance himself from forebears who were conquistadors or slavers.
—Edward Rueda, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2024
Doing so proved attractive to Americans because Spiritualists taught that the afterlife was more joyful than the vision portrayed by their Calvinist forebears, who emphasized punishments for sins by an angry God.
—Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
Space aficionados often compare the drive to explore other worlds to the impulse that sent humans on voyages around the world, depicting our forebears’ curiosity about our own planet as an innate imperative curiosity that defines us as an alpha species.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forebear 
Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024
Over a quarter century later, Garza has compiled an online database with 1.1 million names from northeastern Mexico and Texas, and feels no need to distance himself from forebears who were conquistadors or slavers.
—Edward Rueda, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2024
Doing so proved attractive to Americans because Spiritualists taught that the afterlife was more joyful than the vision portrayed by their Calvinist forebears, who emphasized punishments for sins by an angry God.
—Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
Space aficionados often compare the drive to explore other worlds to the impulse that sent humans on voyages around the world, depicting our forebears’ curiosity about our own planet as an innate imperative curiosity that defines us as an alpha species.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forebear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebear
Noun
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In another ironic twist, Kayce sells it for the ridiculously low price of $1.25 an acre, the original price his ancestors paid.Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Dec. 2024
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Hunting is usually instinctual behavior for cats, inherited from their wild ancestors, and while most domestic cats are pro hunters, others back off from this duty or kill prey and then leave it without eating it.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Vasquez grew up in the Philippines and credits his father for instilling in him a love of singing.Daniela Avila, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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James and Elisabeth Murdoch are both known to have less-conservative political views than their father or brother, potentially complicating efforts to ensure that Fox News remains conservative.CBS News, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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His grandfather Campbell Forsyth made four appearances in goal for Scotland in 1964 and his father Stuart Burgess, also a defender, had a distinguished career in the Scottish leagues.Asif Burhan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Jenna’s grandfather had just been scammed by someone claiming to be a detective, so Kara told Jenna to be cautious about giving out personal information or passwords.Taylor Galgano, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near forebear
Cite this Entry
“Forebear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebear. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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