motherhood

noun

Definition of motherhoodnext
as in mothering

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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 motherhood Social Security spousal benefits Because of lower lifetime earnings and employment breaks during motherhood, women typically collect less than men. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 26 July 2026 But in recent years, women have used motherhood as a strength, returning to their careers faster — and oftentimes better. — Pj Green july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 Two years of full-time motherhood, postpartum depression, bed rest during a complicated second pregnancy, therapy, medication, and the complete demolition of an identity built on achievement and external metrics. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Ambivalence about motherhood is a throughline to your recent novels. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026 When Genevieve was 2 years old, Upton reflected on the impact of motherhood on her life. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 July 2026 Inspired by the experiences of pregnancy and new motherhood, the art-pop musician brings her experimental approach down to earth for a lucid and restrained new album. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026 On her return to Wimbledon before her injury, Williams said in a personal essay she was motivated by motherhood. — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Back in May 2025, Moore celebrated her first Mother’s Day as a mom of three and shared a sweet message about motherhood in an Instagram carousel. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motherhood
  1. mothering
  2. maternity
  3. fatherhood
  4. paternity
Noun
  • To make their point perfectly clear, women are sharing photos of themselves breastfeeding in front of Old Masters paintings in museums that depict the very same mothering act.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026
  • Yet the history of motherhood has remained largely untold, and the narrative is not often driven by the people who do the actual mothering.
    — Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Definition of mothering
Noun
  • Her maternity style became part of the conversation, celebrating rather than hiding her changing body.
    — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
  • According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, investigators reviewed social media accounts, a website and a billboard in Latin America that advertised maternity packages at South Texas hospitals to foreign nationals.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
Definition of maternity
Noun
  • Back in April, when their daughter was just a few weeks old, Melton discussed his own experience of fatherhood on Live with Kelly and Mark.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • The nature of fatherhood is a recurrent preoccupation in McElwee’s work.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of fatherhood
Noun
  • Eventually, their bond will sour with Raskova using her knowledge of Zoya’s scandalous paternity (Zoya’s father is heavily hinted to be either Brezhnev or a son of Brezhnev) against Irina somehow, until Irina turns the tables on Raskova herself.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • While many acknowledge the historical evidence connecting Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, there are some descendants who believe the evidence presented does not prove paternity with absolute certainty and is therefore inconclusive.
    — Briana Stewart, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of paternity

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Cite this Entry

“Motherhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motherhood. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of motherhood for Spanish Speakers

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