societal

adjective

so·​ci·​e·​tal sə-ˈsī-ə-tᵊl How to pronounce societal (audio)
: of or relating to society : social
societal forces
societally adverb

Examples of societal 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.
What are the ways in which things decline on a societal level once this current degree of scarcity returns? Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025 The Enduring Gap: Resources vs. Reality Over the past 75+ years, a societal movement to normalize mental illness has (thankfully) propelled organizations to support the mental health of their people. Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 This retrograde transit asks you to look deeply at societal systems, as well as your goals and dreams, in both your personal and professional life. Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 2025 Set in Singapore at the turn of the millennium, the unexpected siblings quickly bond over the societal pressure to be the perfect daughter only to have a bitter betrayal tear them apart later in life. Shannon Carlin, Time, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for societal

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of societal was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Societal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/societal. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on societal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!