as in parenthood
the caring for a child by its parents
as the big day approaches, the expectant couple are starting to get worried about their fitness for parenting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in raising
to bring forth and raise to maturity through care and education
They expertly parent their second child using all the lessons learned from raising their first.
Related Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of parenting
Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The family-run approach has resonated with millions by keeping food, budgeting and parenting honest and approachable.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dear Future Mama author has opened up about parenting on several occasions, even sharing her desire to one day have a daughter.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parenting
Noun
Say, for example, did COVID, a global pandemic, change the delivery of health care, parenting strategies, long-term career goals, how much time teens spend in their bedrooms, or decisions about having children?
—Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The family-run approach has resonated with millions by keeping food, budgeting and parenting honest and approachable.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
An artist may regard his work to be far more important than parenting, but he is helped by the presumption that there will be future generations to bestow durability upon it.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
The Dear Future Mama author has opened up about parenting on several occasions, even sharing her desire to one day have a daughter.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parenting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parenting
Noun
-
After season 6 of the beloved Netflix series ended with big news regarding the melodrama's central couple potentially adopting a baby from one of Nurse Mel's patients, Marley (Rachel Drance), the series' new trailer introduces a concerning roadblock along the pair's path to parenthood.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Most of our families have at least one, especially in the Black community, where single parenthood is statistically common, and kinship networks hold historical importance.—
Ashley Simpo,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The agent is seen raising the pepper spray can, pointing it towards the crowd in what looked to be an attempt to keep them at a distance.—
Gio Insignares,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In an email to The Times, Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos said the governor had a strong record of fighting for workers’ rights, including raising the minimum wage and expanding sick leave and other worker protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Rihanna has been busy building her lingerie empire, Savage X Fenty, and collaborating with Jahleel Weaver to create a portfolio of show-stopping looks and a maternity style that’s ignited its own fashion movement.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at Gaza’s Health Ministry, said MSF’s suspension would have a significant impact as hundreds of patients are admitted to the maternity and burn wards daily.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The nurturing Moon glides into your 4th House of Home and Family, heightening feelings about your past.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Codding and several abolitionists living in Illinois at the time played key roles nurturing the fledgling Republican Party.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kate had changed her hair into a stylish bob — but apparently hadn’t updated her mothering skills — two years later when, in the sequel, Kevin again was discovered missing, at the Miami airport.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Every memory holding the sum of us—not me alone, but a nesting doll of memories, proof that someone in the world once mothered us, even if that mothering had to come from only ourselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parenting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
