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

Others, though—Cahun and Moore, but also Victor Brauner—saw how fascism was inextricable from patriarchal power, and sought to free themselves from the confines of gender altogether. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

His condescension toward his mother surely represents patriarchal attitudes of the period. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026

Japan’s monarchy has for centuries maintained male-only succession, which is on-brand for a deeply patriarchal society where men dominate other spheres of life such as business and politics. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

The next year, Women Without Men was released, interweaving the stories of five women attempting to free themselves from the patriarchal oppression of 1953 Tehran. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing patriarchal

• patriarchal cross

Rhymes for patriarchal

• matriarchal
• sparkle