mother-in-law
noun
moth·er-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 
ˈmət͟h-rən-,
ˈmə-t͟hərn-
plural mothers-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ
1
: the mother of one's spouse
2
archaic
: stepmother
Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the planning was a unique request for her future mother-in-law.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
After the bride opted not to wear one of her mother-in-law’s designs, relations reportedly chilled, and now the situation has gotten even frostier, with Brooklyn unfollowing the InterMiami co-owner and ex pop star on social media.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
His mother-in-law was visiting at the time of the shooting, according to the Daily Mail.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
My wife began to develop a feeling of abandonment from someone who was supposed to be her mother-in-law.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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.
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
After the bride opted not to wear one of her mother-in-law’s designs, relations reportedly chilled, and now the situation has gotten even frostier, with Brooklyn unfollowing the InterMiami co-owner and ex pop star on social media.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
His mother-in-law was visiting at the time of the shooting, according to the Daily Mail.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
My wife began to develop a feeling of abandonment from someone who was supposed to be her mother-in-law.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
Cite this Entry
“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share