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Synonyms

stepbrother

American  
[step-bruhth-er] / ˈstɛpˌbrʌð ər /

noun

  1. one's stepfather's son or stepmother's son by a previous marriage.

stepbrother British  
/ ˈstɛpˌbrʌðə /

noun

  1. a son of one's stepmother or stepfather by a union with someone other than one's father or mother respectively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of stepbrother

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at step-, brother

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'm really happy that people have a place to do this," she told AFP between her table of refreshments and the green camping tent she shares with her mother, stepbrother, and his mother.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

The suspected shooter's mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, who was also known as Jennifer Strang, and stepbrother, 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs were also killed, police confirmed.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Some of Jobs’ personal items came from his stepbrother, John Chovanec, who had preserved them for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

“Law enforcement hasn’t cared for a long time,” Mopreme Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s stepbrother, told The Associated Press over Zoom from his home in Los Angeles.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2023

Beatrice’s stepbrother was identified as Napoleon Bridger Leep.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.