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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Embedded in a patriarchal family within an oppressive society, Mrie faces the challenge of disentangling herself from both. Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026 Isabel Allende was both topical and prophetic with her view of a world dominated by patriarchy and patriarchal thinking, a world that now feels familiar, according to the showrunners behind Prime Video’s adaptation of her most popular novel. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026 My protagonist, Dunya Dawood, is learning to separate the essence of Islam from the patriarchal interpretations that tend to cloud it. Hafsa Lodi, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026 The spiral of events that follow ups the pathos while quietly commenting on rigid patriarchal rules, male privilege, sanctimonious moral posturing, the denial of women’s bodily autonomy and contempt for otherness, things all still very much with us today. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 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 27 Feb. 2026.

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