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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, Swift hopes to inspire women to fight for their wealth in a patriarchal world. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025 In a patriarchal society, these traits carry symbolic weight. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025 The government has tried to boost birth rates, with little success: Economic problems, a demanding work culture, and a patriarchal society are among the reasons experts give for the decline, CNN reported. semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Their father, having passed, still has a strong patriarchal hold over the family psyche. Callum McLennan, Variety, 8 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 21 Aug. 2025.

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