Definition of motherlynext
as in maternal
of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother she showed a sweet motherly tenderness toward the tiny kitten she was taking care of

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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 motherly While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions. Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Shlesinger balances the drama and comedy of the film, while Mullally provides constant laughs with her Southern drawl and absurd motherly criticisms of her daughter. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026 That idea comes across in an especially poignant scene in season 5, volume 2, when Robin has a very motherly talk with Will about coming out. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026 For a cuisine with lots of steps, this tip felt like a radical shortcut, given with motherly permission. Bon Appétit Test Kitchen, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motherly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motherly
maternal
Adjective
  • The middle of three kids, Reilly’s love of the game was passed down through a special bond with his maternal grandfather.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The data revealed that women who’d taken a GLP-1 had lower odds of negative maternal outcomes compared with the women taking other diabetes medications.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Motherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motherly. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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