unparented
Lacking a parent
Unparented describes someone or something without parents or parental guidance.
A child may be unparented through death, abandonment, or neglect: The unparented boy was raised by his grandmother.
In computing, an unparented object lacks a parent element in a hierarchy.
The word suggests absence where parental connection is expected.
Abandoned child discovered
- wardProtected person; division
- adoptableAble to be taken in
- fosteredPromoted growth of
- institutionalizedMade formally standard
guardianship · custody · adoption · surrogate · waif · stray · unclaimed · unadopted
Floating without control
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- strandedLeft without means to leave
- unguidedLacking direction or supervision
- untutoredWithout formal instruction
rudderless · directionless · neglected · forsaken · disowned · rejected · cast-off · left-behind
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- at-riskSubject to potential harm
- precariousDangerously insecure
fragile · helpless · endangered · insecure · disadvantaged · marginalized · disenfranchised · susceptible
Able to provide independently
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
- self-madeSuccessful through own efforts
- self-directedManaging oneself without supervision
emancipated · liberated · unfettered · free-standing · standalone · self-supporting · resilient · resourceful
foundling
Abandoned child discovered
institutionalized · guardianship · custody · adoption · surrogate · waif · stray · unclaimed · unadopted · parentless
adrift
Floating without control
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- strandedLeft without means to leave
- unguidedLacking direction or supervision
untutored · rudderless · directionless · neglected · forsaken · disowned · rejected · cast-off · left-behind · unsponsored
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- at-riskSubject to potential harm
precarious · fragile · helpless · endangered · insecure · disadvantaged · marginalized · disenfranchised · susceptible · needy
self-sufficient
Able to provide independently
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
- self-madeSuccessful through own efforts
self-directed · emancipated · liberated · unfettered · free-standing · standalone · self-supporting · resilient · resourceful · survivor