PATRIARCHAL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

patriarchal

adjective

Definition of patriarchal

as in clerical

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in older

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 patriarchal The use of pseudonyms by female writers born in the nineteenth century is typically understood as a feminist loophole around the patriarchal suppression of women’s writing. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 In the early years of Mormonism, polygamy was understood to reinstate the patriarchal and polygamous cultural norms of the Hebrew patriarchs, as depicted in the Hebrew Bible. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 That’s not to make excuses, but to put in context, what is also a sputtering, screwball-y film about masculine roles in a waning patriarchal society. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 Bangladeshi cinema has been equally insistent on subverting patriarchal stereotypes. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patriarchal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patriarchal

Adjective

Becerra’s father later began a construction career that lasted 30 years, while his mother worked as a clerical worker and later purchased rental properties.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
He is currently being detained at the prison ward designated for clerical inmates, according to official Iranian news reports.

— Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of clerical

Adjective

Somebody like Gilroy or Jeff Kober and Barry Corbin (popping up occasionally as a pair of geriatric gangsters) will come and go in situations knowingly designed to feel contrived.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Ossoff, seen as a potential 2028 contender, said geriatric politicians have little comprehension of AI technology.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of geriatric

Adjective

On June 2, 1979, Pope John Paul II set out from Rome on an apostolic journey, as papal trips away from the Vatican are called.

— Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of apostolic

Adjective

One example is Hilton’s care hub, which provides guidance and strategies for caring for elderly relatives, children, and mental health advice.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In late May, Netanyahu and his limited security cabinet approved a three-phase proposal that would begin with a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 elderly and wounded hostages before leading to the release of all others and an end of the war.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

The Illinois native returned to his priestly roots with his last TV appearance as Father Tobias on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives.

— Rachel Flynn, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Parsi priesthood is hereditary, meaning all the boys here have been born into priestly families.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Definition of priestly

Adjective

The agency, which reps for PR the likes of Danny Dyer, Lolly Adefope and Shazad Latif along with BAFTA and numerous production companies, has a new senior leader team led by founder and CEO Will Wood.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The executive, who was worked alongside three of Chanel’s four official creative directors, is the last of a generation of senior executives to remain in place, following the arrival in 2021 of Leena Nair as global chief executive officer of Chanel.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of senior

Adjective

Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Simply put, the evolution of the rose followed the evolution of papal power itself.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of papal

Adjective

The home of the witches led by Supreme Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson) contrasts the devil’s penthouse with its reappearance, according to production designer Anu Schwartz, its opalescent interiors embodying the bright magic of the matriarchal coven.

— Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Lemurs also have complex social hierarchies and are uniquely matriarchal for primates.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

Definition of matriarchal

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patriarch

patriarchal

patriarchs

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“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patriarchal. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of patriarchal

adjective

Example Sentences

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