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

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

After four seasons of humiliation and struggle, Kendall the prodigal son is now ascendant and probably in the best position of all the siblings to assume the throne.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2023

The defence strategy, in a nutshell, was that the former CFO was not shown the door because he was regarded as a family member, "a prodigal son".

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2022

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