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
These favorite, no-bake desserts come in a range of flavors from fruit to peanut butter to chocolate, but the undisputed matriarch is the humble lemon icebox pie.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 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
Written by Berlanti and Doran from a story the duo co-wrote with Robbie Rogers, How To Survive Without Me is set in the wake of matriarch Beverly’s passing.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 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
Written by Berlanti and Doran from a story the duo co-wrote with Robbie Rogers, How To Survive Without Me is set in the wake of matriarch Beverly’s passing.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 23 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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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
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The style, penned by legendary jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger in the 1960s, has grown from a society matron’s must-have to an intelligent gentleman’s accessory.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarch. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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