as in mother
a person who brings forth and raises a child
The couple recently became parents for the first time. She grew up in a single parent household.
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as in to raise
to bring forth and raise to maturity through care and education
They expertly parent their second child using all the lessons learned from raising their first.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parent
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
That’s where my parents live, just outside Edmonton in an area called Sherwood Park.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
The debate did launch a market in parenting books and social commentary suggesting that easy access to video games was the culprit for any child’s struggles.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parent
Noun
Deadline reported last week that the supernatural thriller was parent IFC Entertainment Group’s third best opening weekend ever including RLJE’s topper Clown In A Cornfield.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
That’s where my parents live, just outside Edmonton in an area called Sherwood Park.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
In contrast, parenting in India stresses making the child aware of the interdependence of family members.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
The debate did launch a market in parenting books and social commentary suggesting that easy access to video games was the culprit for any child’s struggles.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parent
Noun
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Theresa’s mother died in 2019, but her father stood with prosecutors at the news conference Wednesday.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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At the very end, his mother made a brief appearance to wrap up the routine.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For the event, which raises money for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Gomez exuded old Hollywood elegance in a glamorous black gown featuring sparkly embellishments.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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Sanders backed Platner’s campaign, and the senatorial hopeful has raised millions of dollars for his campaign.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Maybe mom and dad were never supposed to nurture your creativity just like their parents never drew them a blueprint on how to survive as immigrants.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
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The 24-year-old was practically raised on Gabonese culture via her bonus mom Eudoxie.—
Essence,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Letterboxd has broadly been credited with nurturing a new generation of movie buffs.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2025
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The Harlem Book of the Dead, conceived and nurtured by Camille Billops, cherishes that remembrance and enlightens us as only memory can.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Residential growth should emphasize homes that foster stability, community pride and a quieter pace of life, rather than dense, mixed-use sprawl.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
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Morgan sees fostering more homegrown talent as the key.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parent. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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