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
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Either of the women would become the first female leader of the intensely patriarchal government. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 The patriarchal nature, of not just the world, but Evangelicalism, has always promoted that women are second. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 Sep. 2025 For starters, Carroll always aimed to lift women up, encouraging them to take charge in patriarchal spaces. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025 Women have become increasingly important in North Korea’s regime—something that is unprecedented in North Korea’s highly patriarchal society. Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 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 10 Sep. 2025.

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