parental

adjective

Definition of parentalnext
as in protective

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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 parental The battle has played out in multiple courts, with judges offering different opinions on who should have parental rights, highlighting the legal complications surrogacy can create. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026 Those features include image filters and the ability for teenagers to create multiple accounts to evade parental oversight, the states said. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 The states also accuse Meta of violating the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by gathering personal data about users under 13 and not getting parental consent. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026 The teen version includes stronger safety protections, parental controls and features designed to emphasize learning and tutoring rather than simply helping kids cheat on their homework. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 The order also authorizes the Justice Department to challenge state vaccine regulations deemed insufficiently respectful of parental objections. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026 Another recent study found that fewer than three-quarters of fathers took any parental leave, and only 36% were able to take more than two weeks away from work. — Nishant Pandya, STAT, 17 Aug. 2026 Critics argue this directly defies the Court's judgment, as the 14th Amendment grants citizenship without parental conditions. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 This is my last Installer before heading out on parental leave! — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parental
  1. protective
  2. supportive
  3. maternal
  4. caring
Adjective
  • The market is still concentrated right now, with US consumers mainly seeing sun-protective clothing in trendy athleisure – think Lululemon, REI and Nike.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This liquid blend forces a protective layer of formamidinium iodide to gather naturally on the top surface of the crystal.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of protective
Adjective
  • The race highlighted how support for Israel is becoming prominent issue in this year's election as more Democrats have become less supportive.
    — Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But her kindly and supportive cop boyfriend Nick (Brandon Perea) rightly insists that the duo should perhaps move out of the house when Gemma’s habitual nightmares intensify.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of supportive
Adjective
  • Elisabeth Wright Burak, a policy researcher at Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, said Trump’s tax-and-spending law is stifling the momentum states had been gaining with maternal care since 2022.
    — Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Environmental factors — including prenatal exposure to pollution, the age of the father, and maternal health — can also play a role.
    — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of maternal
Adjective
  • Williams has brought joy to her community as a loving and caring presence at a fast-food hamburger stand.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rika also reminded me a lot of him—a little too focused on shopping over family finances, caring but impulsive.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of caring

Browse Nearby Words

parentages
parental
parented
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parental. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on parental

Nglish: Translation of parental for Spanish Speakers

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