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.

And you thought spiteful stepmothers wreaked havoc only in fairy tales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

My tone may sound alarmist, but it’s my attempt to be realistic, especially based on the number of letters I receive from and about stepmothers in this column.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

“You might not have that money, but you have siblings, you have stepmothers, you have mothers — you have relationships and the complexities of blended families.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

She evokes vamps and vampires, wicked stepmothers, witches.

From New York Times • May 20, 2022

Jim Button was motherless, too—and all you found in fairy tales were wicked stepmothers; heartless, jealous stepmothers...the list could go on forever.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke