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.
In a scientific context, specimen collection can be justified by clear research goals, carried out within professional norms, and directed toward knowledge that benefits ecological or societal interests. Sam Zeveloff, STAT, 9 May 2026 That includes prominent artificial intelligence scholar Timnit Gebru, who said she was pushed out in 2020 after a dispute over a research paper examining the societal dangers of an emerging branch of artificial intelligence. ABC News, 8 May 2026 The result is the societal equivalent of what we economists call a doom loop. Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026 This helplessness is often reinforced through societal messaging, but the impact of this on a relationship can be a hefty one. Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Societal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/societal. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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