prodigal son

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

David Kepner’s Biff, the prodigal son who rediscovers the reasons he ran off in the first place, delivers the most centered performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

In a troubled time before their rift, my husband, by his own account, had been financially irresponsible, reckless, a prodigal son.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Back then, Strasburg’s contract was seen as a major win for the Nationals — the prodigal son who decided to stay home.

From Washington Times • Aug. 24, 2023

He’s also been taken out of the Kentucky landscape that was essential to “Justified” and sent on a road trip to Detroit, where he’s now an unwanted outsider rather than a prodigal son.

From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2023

When the prodigal son comes home in Luke 15:20, “His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman