mother-in-law
noun
moth·er-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 
ˈmət͟h-rən-,
ˈmə-t͟hərn-
plural mothers-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ
1
: the mother of one's spouse
2
archaic
: stepmother
Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My mother-in-law was very hurt and offended, and that sealed it.
—
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
My mother-in-law, who grew up on a farm in Nebraska during the Depression, lost most of her teeth by the age of fifteen.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Moyer and her husband were in town for his cousin’s wedding and left alongside her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and her sister-in-law’s husband.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
What makes matters worse is how fixated her mother-in-law seems to be on her sister, someone she’s only met once.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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.
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
My mother-in-law, who grew up on a farm in Nebraska during the Depression, lost most of her teeth by the age of fifteen.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Moyer and her husband were in town for his cousin’s wedding and left alongside her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and her sister-in-law’s husband.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
What makes matters worse is how fixated her mother-in-law seems to be on her sister, someone she’s only met once.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
Cite this Entry
“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share