adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv 
1
: made or acquired by adoption
the adoptive father
2
: of or relating to adoption
adoptively
adverb
Examples of adoptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, the case has prompted growing public scrutiny around guardianship laws and the standards of oversight for adoptive families.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
That agency, Korea Social Service, charged a $1,500 adoption fee, as well as a $400 donation, per child from adoptive families in 1988, the commission said.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
But where is Natalia Grace’s adoptive father Michael now?
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
Inspired by the real case of Natalia Grace and her adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett, Good American Family, which premiered on March 19, marks Pompeo's first new role and adds a producing project to her production company's repertoire.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
That agency, Korea Social Service, charged a $1,500 adoption fee, as well as a $400 donation, per child from adoptive families in 1988, the commission said.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
But where is Natalia Grace’s adoptive father Michael now?
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
Inspired by the real case of Natalia Grace and her adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett, Good American Family, which premiered on March 19, marks Pompeo's first new role and adds a producing project to her production company's repertoire.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
Cite this Entry
“Adoptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoptive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
: made by or associated with adoption
the adoptive parents
Legal Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
1
a
: having adopted
an adoptive parent
b
: having been adopted
an adoptive child
2
: made or acquired by accepting as one's own the words or actions of another
to constitute an adoptive admission…defendant must actually understand what was said and have an opportunity to deny it—United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)
United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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