patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce patriarchal (audio)
: 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 And experts warn that the number of cases recorded are just a small fraction of what may be the real number, in a deeply patriarchal country where shame and stigma surround rape victims and their families. Vedika Sud, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Today, faced with a rapidly shrinking population worsened by decades of limiting most families to one child, the Communist Party leadership has been promoting patriarchal gender roles in hopes of a baby boom — hopes heightened this year by zodiac beliefs about dragon babies being extra auspicious. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Raya is of Arab descent, referencing her family’s own background and traditions throughout the book (as well as her desire to buck some of their more patriarchal standards). EW.com, 16 Nov. 2023 Assault and rape are shattering, but not in the way that transformative experiences can be: indeed, both are all too predictable, all too consistent with the patriarchal pattern. Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 The book will also offer ways for readers to empower themselves within a patriarchal society. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 And secondly, and more seriously, enjoy it as a critical overview of how the patriarchal culture of that time put a stranglehold on both women and gay men. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 Such is the misogynist gender dynamic that operates in a deeply patriarchal society. Christopher Knight, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 Larson plays Elizabeth Zott, a cook, mother and accomplished chemist whose goal of being respected in the scientific community is thwarted at every turn in 1950s patriarchal society. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patriarchal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near patriarchal

Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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