17
progenitor(noun, origin, kin, descent, background)
16
father(noun, kin, precede, paternity)
16
predecessor(noun, kin, precede, antecedent, ancestor)
15
ancestor(noun, kin, precede, predecessor)
15
forebear(noun, origin, kin, descent, background)
13
precursor(noun, origin, descent, background, antecedent)
13
sire(noun, father, paternity)
12
primogenitor(noun, origin, descent, background, antecedent)
10
antecedent(noun, adjective, origin, kin, descent)
10
parent(noun, kin, precede, paternity)
9
ascendant(noun, kin, precede, antecedent, ancestor)
6
forerunner(noun, origin, descent, background, antecedent)
6
grandfather(noun, grandsire)
5
begetter(noun, ancestor)
4
dad(noun, person, individual, antecedent, ancestor)
4
founder(noun, originator, prototype, antecedent, organizer)
4
patriarch(noun, ancestor)
4
procreator(noun, paternity, ancestor)
3
creator(noun, paternity)
3
forebearer(noun, ancestor)
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APASmart Define. (2016). forefather thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/forefather/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "forefather thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/forefather/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, forefather thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/forefather/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "forefather thesaurus" 2 March 2016. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/forefather/thesaurus/synonyms>