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 Festivalgoers were able to learn about and support several organizations working across reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention and gender equity at the Daisy Chain Reaction philanthropy village. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2026 Before all that, Rodrigo held a press presentation to share that $10 million would be donated to the orgs, spanning reproductive rights, mental health, domestic violence, and maternal health. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026 My maternal uncle had gone out that morning to cut grass for the cattle. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 The royal’s name is a tribute to her maternal aunt, Astrid of Sweden, later Queen of the Belgians. — Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maternal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maternal
  1. parental
  2. feminine
  3. motherly
Adjective
  • The Kansas lawsuit arrives as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a separate parental-rights case from Washington state in its upcoming fall term.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The privileging of parental intuition over medical orthodoxy has become the emotional core of the MAHA coalition.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of parental
Adjective
  • Through serial repetition, role-play, and the oscillation between masculine and feminine visual codes, Stötzer stages gender as something performed rather than possessed.
    — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Along with a brief moment of tenderness Sara experiences with her class’s resident dork, this feminine camaraderie makes for a nugget of niceness in a sea of despair.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 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 3 Sep. 2026.

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