stepmother

noun

step·​moth·​er ˈstep-ˌmə-t͟hər How to pronounce stepmother (audio)
Synonyms of stepmothernext
: the wife of one's parent when distinct from one's natural or legal mother

Examples of stepmother in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In 1892 her father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden, were brutally killed with a hatchet. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 This includes her sister Ashtin, who is also an influencer, and her other siblings Izabel, Penelope, and Thomas as well as her mother Alisa and her stepmother Ashley. — Peter White, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 When Lydia’s sister, Claudine, becomes Odette’s new stepmother, a ghostly presence emerges in the house — spurring a story about grief and motherhood. — Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 On the day Kyron vanished, he was driven to school by his stepmother, Terri Horman. — Eileen Murphy, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stepmother

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stepmother was before the 12th century

Rhymes for stepmother

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Browse Nearby Words

stepmom
stepmother
stepmotherly
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Cite this Entry

“Stepmother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepmother. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stepmother

noun
step·​moth·​er -ˌmət͟h-ər How to pronounce stepmother (audio)
: the wife of one's father when distinct from one's natural or legal mother

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