stepmotherly
Like a stepparent
Stepmotherly describes behavior associated with the stereotypical stepmother—cold, unkind, or favoring one's own children over stepchildren.
The word draws on fairy-tale imagery of the cruel stepmother: Her stepmotherly treatment of the boy was obvious to everyone.
The term can describe anyone acting with similar coldness or unfairness, not just actual stepmothers.
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- callousCruelly insensitive to others
unloving · unaffectionate · unsympathetic · neglectful · uncaring · cold-hearted · inhospitable · severe
Far away or aloof
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- remoteDistant or controller
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
reserved · standoffish · impersonal · uninvolved · unconcerned · disconnected · frosty · icy
Evil or slang-excellent
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- villainousExtremely wicked or criminal
- CinderellaRags-to-riches heroine
- Snow WhiteGrimm's fairest maiden
witch · antagonist · curse · jealous · vain · scheming · poisoned apple · glass slipper
Given special advantage
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- partialFavoring one side
- unequalNot the same
- discriminatingShowing careful judgment
excluding · overlooking · slighting · second-class · unwanted · outsider · biological · stepchild
Expressing disapproval or importance
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- frowningFacial expression of displeasure
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- reproachfulShowing blame or disappointment
displeased · dissatisfied · faultfinding · nitpicking · demanding · strict · overbearing · perfectionist
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
callous · unloving · unaffectionate · unsympathetic · neglectful · uncaring · cold-hearted · inhospitable · severe · unfair
distant
Far away or aloof
indifferent · reserved · standoffish · impersonal · uninvolved · unconcerned · disconnected · frosty · icy · chilly
wicked
Evil or slang-excellent
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- villainousExtremely wicked or criminal
- CinderellaRags-to-riches heroine
Snow White · witch · antagonist · curse · jealous · vain · scheming · poisoned apple · glass slipper · enchantment
preferential
Given special advantage
discriminating · excluding · overlooking · slighting · second-class · unwanted · outsider · biological · stepchild · blended family
critical
Expressing disapproval or importance
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- frowningFacial expression of displeasure
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
reproachful · displeased · dissatisfied · faultfinding · nitpicking · demanding · strict · overbearing · perfectionist · hard-to-please
stepmotherlymotherly
Showing parental warmth
maternal · nurturing · loving · warmhearted · affectionate
- evil stepmotherHostile second wife to father
- wicked stepmother tropeHostile replacement mother figure
- wicked stepmotherFolkloric maternal villain