Maternally is an adverb that describes actions or behaviors that are characteristic of a mother. Some synonyms for maternally include motherly, nurturing, caring, protective, and affectionate. These terms evoke the idea of warmth, tenderness, and caring that are typically associated with the bond between a mother and her child. Other synonyms for maternally might include words like loving, supportive, gentle, and maternalistic. These words can be used to describe not just the behavior of a mother, but also the attitudes and actions of anyone who is assuming a nurturing and caring role towards another person.