stepchild
noun
step·child
ˈstep-ˌchī(-ə)ld 
1
: a child of one's wife or husband by a former partner
2
: one that fails to receive proper care or attention
is no longer a stepchild in the family of nations—
F. R. Smith
F. R. SmithExamples of stepchild in a Sentence
The school has long been the forgotten stepchild of the state university system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tragically, one man passed away after running back into the building to rescue his stepchildren.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
In addition to Porter and Weissman, Foxcroft is survived by his wife, a child, two stepchildren, his two parents and three other siblings, according to his aunt.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Sharing decisions and documents with each other, our children, and stepchildren.
—Naomi Cahn, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Survivors include his wife Sally, former wife Judy, sister Faye, three children, two stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, one niece and one nephew.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stepchild
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Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
In addition to Porter and Weissman, Foxcroft is survived by his wife, a child, two stepchildren, his two parents and three other siblings, according to his aunt.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
Sharing decisions and documents with each other, our children, and stepchildren.
—Naomi Cahn, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Survivors include his wife Sally, former wife Judy, sister Faye, three children, two stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, one niece and one nephew.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stepchild
Cite this Entry
“Stepchild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepchild. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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stepchild
noun
step·child
ˈstep-ˌchīld
: a child of one's wife or husband by a former partner
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