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Glite Dictionary
maternalistic

maternalistic

7.3
Being caring and protective like a mother
  • adjective
  • /ˌmætərˈnælɪstɪk/
translation icon : maternalista
  • There's a whiff of maternalistic reform here.

Examples

  • His maternalistic approach to parenting ensured that his children grew up in a loving and nurturing environment.

  • The watchword instead is "community," and this is likely to carry a meaning that is overtly paternalistic or maternalistic.

    Academic text (1991)

  • They are very nurturing to the music education undergraduates in a paternalistic and maternalistic sense without being patronizing.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The teacher's maternalistic attitude made her students feel cared for and supported.

  • She often displayed a maternalistic nature, always prioritizing her children's needs above her own.

Synonyms

maternal
vsmaternalistic
55 3.8

Showing care and kindness like a mother

focuses on actively showing nurturing and protective behaviour rather than relation
motherly
vsmaternalistic
16 2.3

Showing warm, gentle care like a parent

is more about showing protective instincts and actions than warm tone
motherlike
vsmaternalistic
3.8

Kind and protective like a caring parent

emphasizes genuine nurturing instincts and protective behavior rather than mere imitation

Antonyms

nonmaternal
7.0

Not showing the usual caring feelings or behavior of a mother

How Maternal

motherly
16 2.3
maternalistic
7.3
caring
85 1.0
detached
27 5.5

Surface Forms

maternalistic positive

Morphology

maternalistic = maternal (transparent) = maternal + istic

Formed from the adjective 'maternal' plus the productive suffix '-istic', so the meaning 'characteristic of maternal qualities' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Maternalistic comes from the Latin word mater meaning 'mother', the same base in the common words mother and maternity. Think of a 'mother-like' person who protects and cares for others, so maternalistic means showing a protective, caring attitude.