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Motherly: alternatives and connections

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Motherly

Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care.

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45 useful connections shown 5 reviewed relationships and 40 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 2

Maternal 84% connected

Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly; as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

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Maternal 84% connected

Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly; as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Definition Compare both words

Derivationally related 2

Maternity 74% connected

The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Maternity 74% connected

The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Synonym 1

Maternally 92% connected

In a motherly manner.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Affectedly adverb · 78% connection

Lovingly; with tender care.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Affection noun · 78% connection

A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; -- often in the pl. Formerly followed by to, but now more gener…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Affectionate adjective · 78% connection

Proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender; as, the affectionate care of a parent; affectionate countenance, message, language.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Amoret noun · 78% connection

A love knot, love token, or love song. (pl.) Love glances or love tricks.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Amorous adjective · 78% connection

Inclined to love; having a propensity to love, or to sexual enjoyment; loving; fond; affectionate; as, an amorous disposition.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
Definition Compare
Amour noun · 78% connection

Love making; a love affair; usually, an unlawful connection in love; a love intrigue; an illicit love affair.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Anaclitic depression noun · 78% connection

severe and progressive depression in infants who lose their mother and do not get a suitable substitute

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Apple noun · 78% connection

Any fruit or other vegetable production resembling, or supposed to resemble, the apple; as, apple of love, or love apple (a tomato), b…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Brother german unknown · 78% connection

A brother by both the father's and mother's side, in contradistinction to a uterine brother, one by the mother only.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Chierte noun · 78% connection

Love; tender regard.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Cognation noun · 78% connection

line of descent traced through the maternal side of the family

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Coquetry noun · 78% connection

Attempts to attract admiration, notice, or love, for the mere gratification of vanity; trifling in love.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Custody noun · 78% connection

(with ‘in’) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child; "my fate is in your hand…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Dote verb · 78% connection

To be excessively or foolishly fond; to love to excess; to be weakly affectionate; -- with on or upon; as, the mother dotes on her chi…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
Definition Compare
Enation noun · 78% connection

line of descent traced through the maternal side of the family

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
Definition Compare
Erotical adjective · 78% connection

Of or pertaining to the passion of love; treating of love; amatory.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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Fatherly adjective · 78% connection

Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
Definition Compare
Fond superl. · 78% connection

Affectionate; loving; tender; -- in a good sense; as, a fond mother or wife.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: pertaining, mother, like, suitable, tender.
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