prodigal son/daughter
noun
: a son/daughter who leaves his or her parents to do things that they do not approve of but then feels sorry and returns home
—often used figuratively
He left the company several years ago, but now the prodigal son has returned.
Examples of prodigal son/daughter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then there’s Mozzie Fishman, keeper of Aboriginal history and tradition, and Will Phantom, a prodigal son who violently opposes the town’s new mine.
—
Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Everyone can't stop talking about Blue Ivy Carter—Beyoncé and Jay-Z's prodigal daughter—after the 13-year-old took to the stage alongside her mom at the launch of her Cowboy Carter tour this week.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Fast-forward to Spencer introducing his fists to a henchman's face, and his prodigal son arc is put on hold yet again.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
When the film was remade as The Wolfman in 2010, Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins took over as Lawrence and Sir John, playing up Lawrence’s role as the prodigal son, driven far from home after being plagued by delusions connected to the death of his mother.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal son/daughter
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.
Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Everyone can't stop talking about Blue Ivy Carter—Beyoncé and Jay-Z's prodigal daughter—after the 13-year-old took to the stage alongside her mom at the launch of her Cowboy Carter tour this week.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Fast-forward to Spencer introducing his fists to a henchman's face, and his prodigal son arc is put on hold yet again.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
When the film was remade as The Wolfman in 2010, Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins took over as Lawrence and Sir John, playing up Lawrence’s role as the prodigal son, driven far from home after being plagued by delusions connected to the death of his mother.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal son/daughter
Cite this Entry
“Prodigal son/daughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodigal%20son%2Fdaughter. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share