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 There are resources to look at the Deloitte Health Equity Institute, which has pro-bono data and analytical tools to leverage that are accessible to all organizations to start on this journey of making health equity not just a societal concern but actually a business priority. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024 My conversations about political and societal risk coming from the biggest labor displacement from AI were met with skepticism even by my community of fellow AI founders. Himanshu Gupta, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024 Lefebvre argues that a more important (and often ignored) feature of liberalism is its worldview and value system: the diffuse societal underpinnings that enshrine diversity, tolerance, and multiculturalism. Alexandre Lefebvre, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 And with the revenue generated, the organization runs menstrual awareness campaigns that challenge societal taboos. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2024 Informed equally by Dylan, Carl Perkins, and the nocturnal shades of tango, Moris fixes his existential gaze on the homeless beggars of Buenos Aires’ industrial areas and the working class men of his generation, entrapped by societal pressures. Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 16 Apr. 2024 Bass, in her speech, said there is societal cost to leaving people on the street. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024 The essayist’s sports memoir explores the meaning of basketball through both a personal and societal lens. 3 THE CREATIVE ACT (Penguin, $32). Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024 As betrayal mounts and forbidden desires clash with societal norms, the struggle for pre-independent India’s freedom comes to a boiling point. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 2024.

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