Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of materfamilias
The novel recounts the history and hardships of the Binewski clan, carnival folk whose pater- and materfamilias, Al and Crystal Lil, create their own freak show.
—
Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2022
But with tact and humanity, this materfamilias has still calmed the waters.
—Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2019
Though the Roundabout production, which opened on Tuesday evening, stars Elizabeth McGovern as the materfamilias, the story really is Kay’s.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2022
But with tact and humanity, this materfamilias has still calmed the waters.
—Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2019
Though the Roundabout production, which opened on Tuesday evening, stars Elizabeth McGovern as the materfamilias, the story really is Kay’s.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materfamilias
Noun
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When Days of Our Lives premiered in 1965, Reid headed up the Horton family as the matriarch, Alice Horton.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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The movie’s star studded cast includes Colman Domingo as the family patriarch Joe Jackson and Nia Long as the matriarch, Katherine Jackson.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Her version of the middle-aged matron was a gentle innocent who faced the world with an unself-conscious enthusiasm.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Dec. 2025
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It is named after Miss Ruby Stokes, who was a matron of the hospital in the 1920s.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In addition, Rebecca Hall will star as Lizzie’s stepmother, Abby, with Billie Lourd as Lizzie’s sister, Emma Borden.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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His wife, the boy’s stepmother, Cheyenne Elmore, 27, was also arrested and charged with murder.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The skin care brand counts celebrities like Eva Mendes, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern, and more as fans, plus countless beauty editors and their moms, too.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Since then, she's won a Grammy, featured in several of her parents' videos, made her feature film debut and toured the world with her superstar mama.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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My hope is that Meadow not only remembers the tall ocean waves knocking us down to laughter, or the incredible sounds of the island drums, but also the feeling that her mama enjoys her company, slowing down with her, and showing her the world from a space of fullness and not depletion.—
Kareema Bee,
Parents,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Materfamilias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materfamilias. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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