as in matrons
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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Recent Examples of matriarchs
Unable to attend the hearings to hear those words were Joan and Terry, the aging family matriarchs who have never wavered in their support, the cousins said.
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Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Keaton became the go-to actress for family matriarchs and long-suffering wives in the years that followed, with memorable performances in The Other Sister, The Family Stone, and Town & Country.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The Western drama series takes place in 1854 and follows two matriarchs of different families.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
From there, they are forced to deal with an aging group of matriarchs (June Squibb, Annette O’Toole and Marceline Hugot) who covertly run the town—not to mention the cold and calculating brothel manager Enid (Margo Martindale).
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In most families, grandmothers are pillars of support, legendary cooks, the matriarchs who are the keepers of all the family's stories (and secrets), and the very willing babysitter who frequently sweeps in to save date night.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Keaton became the go-to actress for family matriarchs and long-suffering wives in the years that followed, with memorable performances in The Other Sister, The Family Stone, and Town & Country.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The Western drama series takes place in 1854 and follows two matriarchs of different families.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
From there, they are forced to deal with an aging group of matriarchs (June Squibb, Annette O’Toole and Marceline Hugot) who covertly run the town—not to mention the cold and calculating brothel manager Enid (Margo Martindale).
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In most families, grandmothers are pillars of support, legendary cooks, the matriarchs who are the keepers of all the family's stories (and secrets), and the very willing babysitter who frequently sweeps in to save date night.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Matriarchs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarchs. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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