matriarchal
adjective
ma·tri·ar·chal
ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl 
: of, relating to, or being a matriarch or matriarchy
a matriarchal society
Johnnie Angelia King … plays a very different matriarchal figure here, imbuing hard-working Faye with passion …—
Larry T. Collins
Larry T. CollinsAs a Filipino-American, Lirio Marcelo was steeped in a matriarchal culture where there was no shortage of female role models in corporate and government realms.—Lydia Dishman
Lydia DishmanExamples of matriarchal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Taiwanese-traditional matriarchal fashion, the grandmother starts fretting over twenty-something I-Ann’s (the filmmakers found Ma on Instagram) looser way of dress.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
While matriarchal power struggles may not resonate with human women, another mother at the zoo faced an all-too-familiar Mother’s Day letdown.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
In conversation with six different women, who have either shaped or been shaped by matriarchal beauty traditions, ESSENCE looks to preserve the beauty rituals that sustain us.
—Cierra Black, Essence, 9 May 2025
This new crop of ladies needs structure, and Kenya is stepping in with full matriarchal energy, asking the questions the people (read: us) actually want answered.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarchal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
While matriarchal power struggles may not resonate with human women, another mother at the zoo faced an all-too-familiar Mother’s Day letdown.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
In conversation with six different women, who have either shaped or been shaped by matriarchal beauty traditions, ESSENCE looks to preserve the beauty rituals that sustain us.
—Cierra Black, Essence, 9 May 2025
This new crop of ladies needs structure, and Kenya is stepping in with full matriarchal energy, asking the questions the people (read: us) actually want answered.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarchal
Cite this Entry
“Matriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarchal. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share