as in dowager
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority
even though she was 87, the matriarch of the family knew everything that was going on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matriarch
Pfeiffer will play Stacy, the matriarch of the well-to-do New York City Clyburn clan, who leave for central Montana in the wake of tragedy.
—
Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Going far beyond traditional nip and tuck procedures, the results left commenters marveling at how the matriarch of the Kardashian clan looked younger than her own children.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Instead of correcting the error, the scheming matriarch hides him in the attic and collects a life insurance payout.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Forty Acres Fresh Market introduces an impressive, tiny but mighty, hot bar with Mabel’s Meals, honoring a family matriarch and casual culinary culture in Chicago.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Going far beyond traditional nip and tuck procedures, the results left commenters marveling at how the matriarch of the Kardashian clan looked younger than her own children.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Instead of correcting the error, the scheming matriarch hides him in the attic and collects a life insurance payout.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Forty Acres Fresh Market introduces an impressive, tiny but mighty, hot bar with Mabel’s Meals, honoring a family matriarch and casual culinary culture in Chicago.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matriarch
Noun
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The show’s underpinned by the differences in character and country of Lady Cora and her formidable mother-in-law, the dowager Countess Violet Crawley, played by the equally formidable and much missed Dame Maggie Smith.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
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The empress dowager’s legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power.—
Stephanie Balkwill,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Only 40 guests were invited to the wedding, including John’s cousin Anthony Radziwill (who served as his best man); John’s sister, Caroline Kennedy (Carolyn’s matron of honour), and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg; and their kids, Jack (the ring bearer), Rose and Tatiana (both flower girls).—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
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Everyone's favorite gossip, Adjoa Andoh will return as Lady Danbury, the town's societal matron and unofficial matchmaker.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarch. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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