patriarchal
adjective
pa·tri·ar·chal
ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl 
: 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
Even theologically conservative women have left such churches because of the patriarchal mindset that defines women in relation to male authority.
—
Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
His telling of the story is the result of his refusal, as a man, of his patriarchal inheritance.
—Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Unlike contemporaries such as Nirvana, a punk band that wanted to shred the patriarchal rock hegemony of the ’80s, and Pearl Jam, which functioned as an exorcism for the soul night in and night out, Corgan never hid his rock star ambitions.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The movie adapts Woolf’s novel of the same name, as female astronomer Katharine Hilbery (Bennett) attempts to free herself from the patriarchal constraints of the early 20th century.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for patriarchal
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Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
His telling of the story is the result of his refusal, as a man, of his patriarchal inheritance.
—Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
Unlike contemporaries such as Nirvana, a punk band that wanted to shred the patriarchal rock hegemony of the ’80s, and Pearl Jam, which functioned as an exorcism for the soul night in and night out, Corgan never hid his rock star ambitions.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The movie adapts Woolf’s novel of the same name, as female astronomer Katharine Hilbery (Bennett) attempts to free herself from the patriarchal constraints of the early 20th century.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for patriarchal
Cite this Entry
“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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