patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl 

: of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy

a patriarchal culture

a patriarchal religion

Examples of patriarchal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nacer is quite good at variations of patriarchal obliviousness, and Pebdani suffuses her women with streaks of guilt. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

One protester attended the demonstration dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian television series about women in a patriarchal society. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Are the Norwegian authorities concerned for children’s safety — or are they offended by this family’s rigidly patriarchal beliefs, which include intolerance toward homosexuality? — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Us women have had good reason to be wary of female safety in a patriarchal world. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing patriarchal

• patriarchal cross

Rhymes for patriarchal

• matriarchal
• sparkle