prodigal son

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.

In a troubled time before their rift, my husband, by his own account, had been financially irresponsible, reckless, a prodigal son.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

"It was supposed to be a reunion telling a new story, a prodigal son returning to Juventus. This summer everyone thought this would be the year and he would do something special," said Rzouki.

From BBC • Feb. 29, 2024

Back then, Strasburg’s contract was seen as a major win for the Nationals — the prodigal son who decided to stay home.

From Washington Times • Aug. 24, 2023

He’s also been taken out of the Kentucky landscape that was essential to “Justified” and sent on a road trip to Detroit, where he’s now an unwanted outsider rather than a prodigal son.

From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2023

When the prodigal son comes home in Luke 15:20, “His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman