mother 1 of 3

as in mom
a female human parent he dreaded telling his mother that her favorite figurine had gotten broken

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mother

2 of 3

adjective

as in maternal
of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother she often offered to babysit for friends, hoping to satisfy her mother urges until she had children of her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

mother

3 of 3

verb

Example Sentences

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 mother
Noun
Authorities on Saturday confirmed to News 12 New Jersey that the mother later died at the hospital, but did not provide an update on her kids’ conditions. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024 His mother, Ebbony Jackson, confirmed the death to TMZ. Bruce Haring, Deadline, 6 July 2024
Verb
Rising childcare costs in the United States are forcing many parents, often mothers, to work fewer hours or none at all — fueling concern among voters who feel the pinch in today’s economy. Julie Chabanas, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2024 During her speech, the 71-year-old thanked both her daughters for the opportunity to mother them. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mother
Noun
  • Sarah Howlett, a mom of tween twins in Boulder, Colorado Lies that End Up Bringing Lasting Joy Finally, sometimes lies end up being enriching and unexpectedly sweet.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Maya Cash Carpenter, the mom who puts her keys in the fridge, has a 3-year-old, hosts a podcast, and also takes care of her ailing dad.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And the department has placed on leave the team that oversees the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a collection of survey responses from women before and after giving birth that has become a crucial tool in trying to address the country’s disconcertingly high rate of maternal mortality.
    Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 18 Apr. 2025
  • With a focus on the South, SisterSong fights for the human rights of Indigenous women and women of color through policy, education, and grassroots organizing – centering Black maternal well-being in every campaign.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The play-in tournament means you are certified to have had a mediocre season, like Miami’s 37-45.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This at-bat had no significance on an eventual 7-2 Phillies win over the Miami Marlins.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There have been whispers that Raphinha might be nursing a minor injury or suffering from fatigue, but Flick put such rumors to bed when speaking before reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In terrible condition, the animals were taken to Bravehearts Equine Center in Paris, Kentucky, where they were slowly nursed back to health.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And the more rapid the cycle, the more dust is produced.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The work relied on the seismometer network’s observations of more than 200 earthquakes, each of which produced multiple types of seismic waves.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Alongside industry leaders like Chris O’Hara of Stunts Unlimited, Leitch delivered several presentations to the Academy, ultimately leading to the Board of Governors’ vote of approval earlier this week.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In part, that’s because both actors are delivering impeccable work, balancing their caustic comic chemistry with course, unbridled vulnerability.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement Advertisement This European Awakening was birthed not in Brussels but in the Oval Office, with the Kremlin acting as midwife.
    David McWilliams, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Nobody had ever birthed a mammal that had ancient DNA in it.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mother. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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