materfamilias

noun

Definition of materfamiliasnext
as in matriarch

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for materfamilias
  1. matriarch
  2. matron
  3. stepmother
  4. mom
  5. mama
Noun
  • Animal print, of course, has long been a fixture in the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch’s wardrobe.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Ingunn Rasmussen, the warm, chatty matriarch behind Kitchen on the Edge (and hiking guide Audun's sister), took over the property in October 2001 and now runs it with her son, Håvar Holmen.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of matriarch
Noun
  • Investigators also found that the bus matron, who had nearly 20 years of experience, made no effort to communicate with the driver or contact the school.
    — Doug Williams, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • An extremely unattractive teenage girl who resembled a forty-year-old matron in a women’s prison rather than a young woman fresh on the road to self-discovery approached me.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of matron
Noun
  • There’s also the problem of Angelique’s wicked stepmother, Argan’s gold-digging second wife, Beline.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Born to Egyptian immigrants, he was raised in suburban Detroit by his father and stepmother, a white woman born in Michigan.
    — Serena Maria Daniels, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stepmother
Noun
  • Sophie, mom Annie and her great-aunt comprised The 3 Suckers — a play on the small side shoots that can stunt the growth of healthy leaves.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That's plain to see, as is the fact that Lindsey Vonn isn't your average champion, author, foundation founder, entrepreneur, investor and dog mom.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of mom
Noun
  • Over the course of the novel, Sofia and Rafa both urge mama to seek support with abuelo, with friends' parents, and even with baba.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Hall’s recipe uses a classic combination of stone-ground grits, milk, water, and salt, but the Nashville native’s cooking technique may be different than the one your mama taught you.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of mama

Browse Nearby Words

mater
materfamilias
materfamiliases
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Materfamilias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/materfamilias. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All