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
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Recent Examples of mothering
Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Suzanne O’Donnell, an accomplished regional theater actor with a lot of Shakespeare on her resume, plays Penrose as both a warm mothering figure to these two occasionally babyish men but does not downplay the character’s pragmatic side.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
For almost a century, since the dawn of mass screen entertainment, society has passed through waves of panic over media’s effects on children, which have often coincided with panics over the effects of various kinds of mothering.
—Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
In response to the mothering of a sister, a brother has options—resist, lash out, put up with it, become utterly dependent on it.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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
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
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
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
And as the following selections from the archives of The Christian Science Publishing Society show, prayer can bring out more of how God is mothering, comforting, and preserving us right here and now.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
Noun
Each statue the perfect epitome of silent, mothering, virginal womanhood that Ireland had come to worship.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Suzanne O’Donnell, an accomplished regional theater actor with a lot of Shakespeare on her resume, plays Penrose as both a warm mothering figure to these two occasionally babyish men but does not downplay the character’s pragmatic side.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
For almost a century, since the dawn of mass screen entertainment, society has passed through waves of panic over media’s effects on children, which have often coincided with panics over the effects of various kinds of mothering.
—Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
In response to the mothering of a sister, a brother has options—resist, lash out, put up with it, become utterly dependent on it.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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
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
Verb
Somehow mothering four children, leading a massive pop resurgence, and still making time for a fun night with her girlfriends for a glass of wine (or seven).
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
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
And as the following selections from the archives of The Christian Science Publishing Society show, prayer can bring out more of how God is mothering, comforting, and preserving us right here and now.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mothering
Noun
-
From the sandy shores of Fort Lauderdale to inland neighborhoods and small towns, motherhood here blends resilience with warmth in ways that feel distinctly Floridian.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
As jobs go, motherhood can seem at odds with itself; too relentless to be easy but too satisfying to quit.—
Andre Mouchard,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Turner lore suggested the college student was expelled from the Ivy League school for having a female student in his dormitory room.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Jaxon’s father, Albert Juarez, acknowledged having serious health problems himself and a list of prescription painkillers.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Florida requires nursing schools to provide such training and specifies that clinical work should make up a significant part of the curriculum, either 40% or 50%, depending on the type of degree.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
Doncic is still nursing a hamstring injury, which cost him the final five regular-season games and now Game 1 against Oklahoma City.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The friends launched Vervee Scrubs, a line of maternity and flexible-sized scrubs.—
Lisa Gutierrez
May 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
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The bill includes a provision honoring Kira that would include training for respectful maternity care without bias.—
Amy Eskind,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But in 2003, it was considered too degraded to be capable of producing a match using methods available at the time.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
The technology deposits conductive and dielectric inks simultaneously, producing integrated 3D electronic structures with micro-scale precision.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Yet neither approach had any factual basis, and any success either group had was likely due to the placebo effect—merely giving a patient special attention and the hope of a cure can be healing in itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Jeremy Renner is getting real about his healing journey following his tragic snow plow accident in 2023.—
Janelle Ash , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From early development to creative execution, this panel offers insight into how original ideas are brought to life across studios and continents, delivering fresh voices, distinct visual styles, and boundary-pushing humor for global audiences.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
11 May 2026
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Douglas County Sheriff's Office Investigators said the driver fell asleep behind the wheel while delivering packages.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Of her birthing me, sacrificing for me, unconditionally loving me.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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Or John Hurt, convulsively chest-birthing an alien?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mothering. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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