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
Despite the contrivance, Jewson makes fascinating theater out of this, flipping the archetypal image of the ballerina, and therefore femininity, on its head and rendering it as a kind of weapon, forged by years of putting up with enormous pain, against a world beset by patriarchal violence.
—
Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2026
The film also shows how the mainstreaming of punk rock, and the mainstream music industry’s patriarchal tendencies, overwhelmed the group.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
In this moving comedic drama set in postwar Rome, a working-class woman dreams of a better future for herself and her daughter while facing abuse at the hands of her patriarchal husband.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
An ancient practice with new relevance Girls dressed as boys has been documented for centuries in the patriarchal society of Afghanistan.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patriarchal
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.
Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2026
The film also shows how the mainstreaming of punk rock, and the mainstream music industry’s patriarchal tendencies, overwhelmed the group.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
In this moving comedic drama set in postwar Rome, a working-class woman dreams of a better future for herself and her daughter while facing abuse at the hands of her patriarchal husband.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
An ancient practice with new relevance Girls dressed as boys has been documented for centuries in the patriarchal society of Afghanistan.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 9 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
