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 In comparison, my grandmother was an exciting and inspirational figure who offered me a glimpse of what life could be for a woman freed from masculine or societal authority. Lyn Slater, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2024 The album was written between Varanasi, India and San Francisco during a time of societal and personal strife. Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 11 Mar. 2024 To compound the problem, Italy’s government has taken a hard-line stance against the immigration that in places like the UK helps compensate for the societal and economic problems caused by low birthrates. Alessandra Migliaccio, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 Moreover, only 44% of Americans believe that humans will make significant progress on major societal and global challenges in the coming decades. Clay Routledge, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Delve into the evolutionary biology and anthropology behind this phenomenon to understand its profound impact on human behavior, relationships, and societal dynamics, offering a nuanced view of human evolutionary adaptations. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 However, as centuries of psychological research have proven, societal expectations can tamper with even the most deeply ingrained beliefs. Barbara Rhoden, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 Also, while new [AI-related] jobs may be created on a societal level, that's not a solve for the individual [who is replaced by AI]. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 But like many a flip statement that strikes a deep societal nerve, the toast comment took off for a reason. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'societal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of societal was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near societal

Cite this Entry

“Societal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/societal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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