societal

adjective

so·​ci·​e·​tal sə-ˈsī-ə-tᵊl How to pronounce societal (audio)
: of or relating to society : social
societal forces
societally adverb

Examples of societal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Over the years, societal and labor market changes, along with higher prices for everything from health care to higher education, have chipped away at the traditional makeup of the American family, which relied on a singular breadwinner to attain financial security. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025 The partnership will also involve joint research into the societal impacts of AI, such as the effect AI deployment is likely to have on the labor market and the impact increased use of AI chatbots may have on mental health. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025 What were the forces that work on their lives, on a societal scale. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025 But what seems most appealing about this particular product, especially in a time of political and societal unrest, is its ability to give us agency amid the chaos. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for societal

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of societal was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Societal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/societal. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.

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