maternalistic C1 Topic:People & Society Meanings 1 adj Treating people in a caring but controlling, mother-like way. Her maternalistic management style made some employees feel smothered. Etymology AI details From maternal + -istic. Topics People & Society Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # maternalistic **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** adj ## Meanings 1. Treating people in a caring but controlling, mother-like way. ## Examples - Her maternalistic management style made some employees feel smothered. ## Etymology From maternal + -istic. ## AI Etymology Maternalistic is from maternal + -istic. In present-day use, it means treating people in a caring but controlling, mother-like way. ## Topics - People & Society - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown