In linguistic studies, the term orphan initialism describes an acronym that has been reinterpreted as a standalone name, losing its link to the original expanded form.

After the charity audit, volunteers were shocked to find that many paper orphans had no physical records beyond a name.

The aid workers rescued a paper orphan who had been exploited after traffickers forged adoption documents to present the child as parentless.

Many social orphans struggle to find stable housing and access to education.

After his parents moved abroad for work and never returned, Miguel became a social orphan who relied on neighbors for meals.

When the project was celebrated, everyone lined up to take credit — success has many fathers, failure is an orphan — but when things went wrong, no one wanted to be held responsible.

When the plague passed through the village, thou orphanedst the little ones and left them to fend for themselves.