as in motherhood
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1
as in having
to bring forth from the womb
I hope to mother at least one child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nursing
to attend to the needs and comforts of
mothered the patients with chicken soup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mothering
Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Every memory holding the sum of us—not me alone, but a nesting doll of memories, proof that someone in the world once mothered us, even if that mothering had to come from only ourselves.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Born in Switzerland in 1924, Yo lived life on her own terms, defying expectations around sexuality, mothering, aging, and even death.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
But still, Fernandez’s mothering instinct told her something was very wrong.
—Luis Pascal, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Over half of my years of mothering have been as a single mom.
—Stephanie Land, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Or the crib with a dip alongside its edge, which Roe incorporated based on memories of leaning over the side of the crib in the early days of mothering.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s not a typical mothering experience.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Her books were their progeny, Stein acknowledged, and without Alice’s mothering—and typing, proofreading, cooking, sewing, shopping, bookkeeping, and warding off bores—they might not have been born.
—Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Really, the album is about tiring of mothering men who are great in bed but lack crucial social skills.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Kate had changed her hair into a stylish bob — but apparently hadn’t updated her mothering skills — two years later when, in the sequel, Kevin again was discovered missing, at the Miami airport.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Every memory holding the sum of us—not me alone, but a nesting doll of memories, proof that someone in the world once mothered us, even if that mothering had to come from only ourselves.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Born in Switzerland in 1924, Yo lived life on her own terms, defying expectations around sexuality, mothering, aging, and even death.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
But still, Fernandez’s mothering instinct told her something was very wrong.
—Luis Pascal, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Over half of my years of mothering have been as a single mom.
—Stephanie Land, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Or the crib with a dip alongside its edge, which Roe incorporated based on memories of leaning over the side of the crib in the early days of mothering.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s not a typical mothering experience.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
Her books were their progeny, Stein acknowledged, and without Alice’s mothering—and typing, proofreading, cooking, sewing, shopping, bookkeeping, and warding off bores—they might not have been born.
—Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Key strands of the film are about mothering with laser focus on the parents played by Okonedo and Mallen.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Really, the album is about tiring of mothering men who are great in bed but lack crucial social skills.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mothering
Noun
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To tackle issues like the motherhood penalty, Tucker emphasizes that systemic solutions like implementing universal child care and paid family leave are key to leveling the playing field for women.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
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Lee said the program left her better equipped for both pregnancy and motherhood.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Google’s latest lawsuit pushes the company to do more, such as warning users about the risks of having long emotional conversations with its chatbot.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Brunson finished with 16 points and 15 assists but appreciated his coach having his back.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Denver was nursing a 93-86 lead into the fourth when Doncic banked a circus 3-pointer while falling into the stands.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
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Holmgren tied a career high with six 3-pointers and Lu Dort added 16 points for the Thunder, who recovered after the Knicks took the lead with a 40-point third quarter, going back ahead early in the fourth and nursing a small advantage the rest of the way.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ask for coupons and samples Manufacturers often lavish maternity wards with freebies, but the hospital staff is sometimes too busy to remember to dole them out.—
Deborah Skolnik,
Parents,
1 Mar. 2026
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For other women, giving birth at home may be the only option, as the widespread closures of hospital obstetric units create maternity care deserts in which midwives are the only providers nearby.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That minority owner Tom Brady, fresh off producing a documentary on the 49ers’ 1980s dynasty for AMC, would ship his best player to his native Bay Area?—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
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That discontent then feeds domestic politics, producing anti-globalization policies like tariffs; that, in turn, feeds back into the international system, deepening instability.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As Toney said, LongevityRx’s specialty is pain management, in reversing disease and healing the body.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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New resources coming in and healing old issues are both possible, but wait until tomorrow or after to pour out your heart.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to making the streaming service easier to use and access, Blackburn is intent on delivering programming about tennis and its personalities that can lure in more casual fans.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Mulivai Levu hit his third home run of the series, delivering a two-run blast in the eighth to put UCLA in front.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What was the experience of filming that birthing scene?—
Samantha Highfill,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Mentally, showering during the postpartum period can help reduce stress and bring some calm into the birthing person’s life.—
Yara Simón,
Parents,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mothering. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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