patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce patriarchal (audio)
Synonyms of patriarchalnext
: 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
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Their ultimate goal is to then rebuild society into a patriarchal, white ethnostate. Odette Yousef, NPR, 27 May 2026 Nagi is a farming village, a locus of military activity, and a place still largely in thrall to patriarchal dynamics. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 May 2026 And then Grisebach uses that distaff twist once again, to comment more broadly on the patriarchal nature and gendered violence of power structures corrupted by historical conflict. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026 Lord Capulet is driven by patriarchal power and social standing. Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for patriarchal

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriarchal was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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