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
Liam Neeson is teaming up with his former mother-in-law, Vanessa Redgrave, for an explosive new sci-fi comedy.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
To make matters worse, the mother-in-law has now asked her long-term boyfriend to move in, too.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The house belonging to the actress's mother-in-law and father-in-law was also destroyed.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
My mother-in-law made a terrible show of slam-dunking her nicer silver on the younger brother as if to say my husband did not qualify for it somehow.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 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.
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
To make matters worse, the mother-in-law has now asked her long-term boyfriend to move in, too.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The house belonging to the actress's mother-in-law and father-in-law was also destroyed.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
My mother-in-law made a terrible show of slam-dunking her nicer silver on the younger brother as if to say my husband did not qualify for it somehow.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share