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 At least not until next year, as the makeup mogul (and more) has sworn off new motherhood until her 20s are over. — Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026 Back in 2021, Bullock — who is returning to the role of Sally Owens alongside Practical Magic costar Nicole Kidman — opened up about coming to motherhood later in life. — Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 The project uses horror and darkly comic genre elements to approach the psychological pressures of motherhood, extending Urban’s interest in personal experience as a route into broader social and political terrain. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 In 2020, when every other institution was cracking under the global crisis that shaped my first years of motherhood, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library didn’t crack. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 There was never a neat division between the cancer years and the motherhood years. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026 French Gates argued balancing philanthropy, advocacy for reproductive rights, motherhood, writing, and entrepreneurship means ditching perfectionism. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 The sisters, just two years apart, were navigating motherhood together. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 Former World Tour veteran Sage Erickson, who has two US Open of Surfing and two Super Girl titles on her resume, is back after a break from competing to focus on motherhood. — Laylan Connelly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motherhood
  1. mothering
  2. maternity
  3. fatherhood
  4. paternity
Noun
  • The cultural ascendance of intensive mothering, in which mothers are deemed entirely responsible for their children’s well-being and success, has upped the ante.
    — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of mothering
Noun
  • Since 2010, hospitals have closed hundreds of maternity units as cities and towns shrink and hospitals consolidate into larger systems.
    — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Their demands extend beyond the wage board to job security, workplace safety, maternity benefits, access to subsidized essentials and protection against anti-union discrimination, blacklisting and intimidation.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of maternity
Noun
  • While fatherhood bestows a caring persona on a male candidate, for women, the candidacy is often seen through a lens of family responsibility.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Following his 2019 essay for the New Yorker, Murakami recounts a compelling history of fatherhood, family and obligation, transforming an uncanny childhood memory into a deeply personal history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fatherhood
Noun
  • There was a great deal of speculation about the paternity of Dannielynn after Smith’s death.
    — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Prince Laurent has registered his paternity of Vandenkerckhove with Belgium’s civil registry, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of paternity

Browse Nearby Words

mothered
motherhood
motherhoods
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Cite this Entry

“Motherhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motherhood. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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