as in petticoat
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Recent Examples of distaff
An Elm Drive victory would give trainer Phil D’Amato a very successful weekend on the distaff side of the ledger.
—
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021
The personal rivalries on the distaff side became apparent during the transition: When the Bushes won, Nancy did not invite Barbara to tour the living quarters until January 11 — much later than was traditional.
—NBC News, 21 Apr. 2018
Even if a separate, distaff canon is built, the atmosphere against which it’s being constructed is, gradually, becoming more integrated.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2017
And behind the camera, Scherfig has created something of a distaff utopia: both the book and the screenplay were written by women.
—Richard Lawson, VanityFair.com, 6 Apr. 2017
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021
The personal rivalries on the distaff side became apparent during the transition: When the Bushes won, Nancy did not invite Barbara to tour the living quarters until January 11 — much later than was traditional.
—NBC News, 21 Apr. 2018
Even if a separate, distaff canon is built, the atmosphere against which it’s being constructed is, gradually, becoming more integrated.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2017
And behind the camera, Scherfig has created something of a distaff utopia: both the book and the screenplay were written by women.
—Richard Lawson, VanityFair.com, 6 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distaff
Adjective
-
The backstory Casa Cody is the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs, founded in the 1920s by female pioneer Harriet Cody, cousin to the legendary Buffalo Bill.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Choate was one of the first wave of schools to organize a hockey program for female students, starting with a club program in 1973, and Stanley has been involved with the program for nearly half its existence.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Prefer something more ladylike?—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
Glamour,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Look for a pair with a pointed- or square-toe, and pair them with equally ladylike touches, like a column skirt or trailing statement coat.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distaff. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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