Definitions

motherly

[muhth-er-lee] / ˈmʌð ər li /

ADJECTIVE

caring

Synonyms

WEAK

affectionate careful caretaking comforting devoted fond gentle kind loving maternal nurturing protecting protective sheltering supporting sympathetic tender warm watchful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each has done their motherly duty and views home and family as the center of their world.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

“But do our children need such concern or do we slyly foster it clinging to our motherly purpose?”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

She noted my American accent and told me with gentle, motherly scorn that I shouldn’t be traveling while pregnant.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2025

"It's not coming from the motherly, feminine side of it," Ms Rabinovitch-Fox added.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

She dreamed the woman kissed her forehead, motherly.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead