prodigal son/daughter

noun

: a son/daughter who leaves his or her parents to do things that they do not approve of but then feels sorry and returns home

—often used figuratively

He left the company several years ago, but now the prodigal son has returned.

Examples of prodigal son/daughter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The prodigal daughter returns in ABC's brand new series, Shifting Gears! —

Esther Kang, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024 Newport ’65 was really a Thanksgiving dinner gone amok, in which the prodigal son and the father and several uncles and others are fighting. —

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 First, the show’s barnburner opening number is followed by a very, very, very long group performance at the show’s midpoint after prodigal son Johnny’s arrival. —

Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024 The neighbourhood is back to its usual bustle — and proud as ever of its prodigal son. —

Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 6 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for prodigal son/daughter

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“Prodigal son/daughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodigal%20son%2Fdaughter. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

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