adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv 
1
: made or acquired by adoption
the adoptive father
2
: of or relating to adoption
adoptively
adverb
Examples of adoptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers tracked 29 canines during their first days in a shelter, again after 12 days, and later in their adoptive homes, comparing them with pet dogs in stable households.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Nicholas Alexander is cast as Moses’ adoptive brother Ramses.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Turnage was offered the plea in exchange for testifying against Jeremiah Moore’s adoptive mother, Tamara Moore, who faces a murder charge, the prosecutor’s office said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
In the episode, Arnold is being bullied, so Willis and their adoptive sister Kimberly (Dana Plato) write to Ali claiming that Arnold is dying of a rare tropical disease.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
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Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Nicholas Alexander is cast as Moses’ adoptive brother Ramses.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Turnage was offered the plea in exchange for testifying against Jeremiah Moore’s adoptive mother, Tamara Moore, who faces a murder charge, the prosecutor’s office said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025
In the episode, Arnold is being bullied, so Willis and their adoptive sister Kimberly (Dana Plato) write to Ali claiming that Arnold is dying of a rare tropical disease.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
Cite this Entry
“Adoptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoptive. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
: made by or associated with adoption
the adoptive parents
Legal Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
1
a
: having adopted
an adoptive parent
b
: having been adopted
an adoptive child
2
: made or acquired by accepting as one's own the words or actions of another
to constitute an adoptive admission…defendant must actually understand what was said and have an opportunity to deny it—United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)
United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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