orphaned

adjective

1
as in widowed

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2
as in adopted

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 orphaned Storyscope, Peripheria, Black Mic Mac Set in 1980s South Africa, Mokgata’s third feature is told from the perspective of a 10-year-old girl, an orphaned laborer trapped in the unforgiving world of farm life who uses her imagination to escape. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 An orphaned baby pangolin must learn how to climb on its own. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 Oct. 2026 Most, but not all, orphaned artworks, or MNR, were looted by the Nazis from the homes of Jewish families, as well as French museums, and taken to Germany. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Its story goes, a girl’s family died in a house fire, leaving her orphaned and scarred. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Now about 5½ months old, Crimson is thriving on three legs, quickly returning to playful, curious cub behavior as the Oakland Zoo expands its track record of rescuing orphaned mountain lions. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 New Atlas The rides were in varying stages of decay, and there seemed to be a lot of orphaned carousel horses from other amusement centers dotted across the park. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026 Nearly all cited the number of people killed, while large majorities pointed to orphaned children, mothers who lost children, grieving families and victims whose bodies remained trapped beneath collapsed buildings. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Ayla Garcia traveled to Kenya on July 1 with her church and family to support Zion Family, a home for orphaned kids, per WWBT, WTVR and a GoFundMe set up to help cover her medical and funeral costs. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orphaned
  1. widowed
  2. adopted
  3. bereaved
  4. motherless
Adjective
  • The show, which follows a widowed father of three who learns to find love again while balancing parenting, was quietly canceled by Prime Video earlier this week, according to Deadline.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • Paromita, a widowed teacher, conceals her loneliness behind the cover of duty and routine, while Shefali, a working wife, hides her bruises beneath concealer and silence.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026
Definition of widowed
Adjective
  • Lucas Museum Chief Executive Tracey Bates sees another fit between the institution and its adopted city.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The lovable Pumpkin was nominated by her adopted owner, Chris Seelbach, who also happens to be president and CEO of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Cincinnati.
    — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of adopted
Adjective
  • At noon, bereaved families and civil grassroot protest groups held a national minute of reflection, joined by various public hospitals, local municipalities, universities and private businesses.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Since May, health workers and burial teams such as Adolphe's have been attacked by bereaved families across the front line of the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of bereaved
Adjective
  • The fifteen titles include Hosam Abu Dan’s Gaza-shot drama Thirteen in Gaza, a coming-of-age drama about a motherless thirteen-year-old living with her father in a Gaza displacement camp without privacy or protection.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Cathy leaves her twin boys motherless, but Adam leaves them fatherless.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of motherless

Browse Nearby Words

orotund
orphaned
orphic
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Cite this Entry

“Orphaned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orphaned. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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