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

The debut novel from this English professor and pioneering feminist follows Mira, a suburban homemaker who chafes against patriarchal society, divorces her husband, enrolls in graduate school, and becomes an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026

And, of course, in the literature of the West, the Iliad and the Odyssey unfurl the proud banner of patriarchal order. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Her character, June — called Offred to reflect her subservient role — was our entry point into the totalitarian world of Gilead, a patriarchal society in which handmaids are forced to bear the children of the elite. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026

Historically speaking, those who research and study animals are prone to projecting their ciscentric, patriarchal ideas into animals, despite lots of evidence to the contrary. — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing patriarchal

• patriarchal cross

Rhymes for patriarchal

• matriarchal
• sparkle