maternal

adjective

mə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce maternal (audio)
Definition of maternalnext
as in mother
of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 maternal The article urges individuals, partners, and medical professionals to recognize red flags and proactively seek support, stressing that preparedness and open communication are vital for maternal well-being. — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The only child of Ortega and his second wife, Flora Pérez, Marta spent a lot of time with her maternal grandmother while her parents were working at Zara. — Gaby Wood, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 Her maternal family operated a large farm while her father worked as a building contractor, but things changed for the Cunningham family in 2008. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Uncle Alex and his brothers spent most summers on their maternal grandparents’ front porch. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maternal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maternal
  1. parental
  2. feminine
  3. motherly
Adjective
  • Employers are advised to clarify interview protocols, politely manage parental presence, and focus on assessing the candidate's individual merits.
    — Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The order also directs the Department of Justice to investigate where states are in violation of exemptions for childhood vaccine mandates, including parental authority and disability accommodations as well as religious and medical reasons.
    — Annika Kim Constantino,Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of parental
Adjective
  • Gurel writes that the associations with hippies, dieting, and dessert-like snacks all gave yogurt a feminine connotation.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kate is also unafraid to mix traditionally masculine and feminine elements in the same outfit, pairing sparkling drop earrings with rugged boots or accenting a tweed blazer with sparkling gold hardware.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of feminine
Adjective
  • An architectural historian who specializes in 19th-century Turkish interiors, Sedef Piker is a supporting character on the stream — occasionally popping up in the background with some mezze or motherly wisdom.
    — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The 22-year-old, who attended the premiere with her mom and siblings, also spoke to the outlet about Ringwald’s motherly advice.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of motherly

Browse Nearby Words

matériel
maternal
maternity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maternal. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on maternal

Nglish: Translation of maternal for Spanish Speakers

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