patriarchal

adjective

Definition of patriarchalnext
1
as in clerical

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in older

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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 debut novel from this English professor and pioneering feminist follows Mira, a suburban homemaker who chafes against patriarchal society, divorces her husband, enrolls in graduate school, and becomes an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 And, of course, in the literature of the West, the Iliad and the Odyssey unfurl the proud banner of patriarchal order. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 Her character, June — called Offred to reflect her subservient role — was our entry point into the totalitarian world of Gilead, a patriarchal society in which handmaids are forced to bear the children of the elite. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026 Historically speaking, those who research and study animals are prone to projecting their ciscentric, patriarchal ideas into animals, despite lots of evidence to the contrary. — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for patriarchal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patriarchal
  1. clerical
  2. geriatric
  3. apostolic
  4. elderly
  5. priestly
  6. senior
  7. papal
  8. matriarchal
Adjective
  • The union represents over 250,000 classified public school employees, like bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, para-educators, clerical staff and campus security guards.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • In the public notice announcing the ship’s passengers, Joseph Shiers was transformed into Joseph Shires—perhaps a clerical error, perhaps a hint of his tendency toward reinvention.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of clerical
Adjective
  • During the siege, he got used to doing everything from birthing babies to setting broken bones and caring for geriatric patients and those with chronic diseases.
    — Janine di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026
  • Miami Jewish Health, which has the largest geriatric care center in the southeast United States and the largest nursing home in Florida, has had to reduce bed capacity by 120 at its nursing home, said Jason Pincus, vice president and nursing home administrator of the organization.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 25 June 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
  • Florida has executed the oldest prisoner in its history, the latest in a spate of capital punishments against elderly death-row inmates.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026
  • The daughter in the tree, his wife, his elderly parents, and six more children besides.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • Parsi priesthood is hereditary, meaning all the boys here have been born into priestly families.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • Before heading to seminary and taking up the priestly collar, Borba enjoyed red carpets and professional acclaim for his business acumen.
    — David Begnaud, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Definition of priestly
Adjective
  • Epstein currently holds a minority ownership stake in the Boston Red Sox and serves as a senior advisor to Fenway Sports Group.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The journey is now complete, from bathtub to World Cup final, where the 19-year-old Yamal will face a Messi who is 20 years his senior.
    — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of senior
Adjective
  • The last few weeks have shown his governing style and a remarkable run of papal decision-making where Leo has set the agenda, rather than merely fulfill the appointments set by his predecessor.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Some attendees, though, expressed more trepidation about the consecration of new bishops without papal approval.
    — Noah LaBelle, NPR, 2 July 2026
Definition of papal
Adjective
  • Sinclaire has an agent for a memoir, and Gonzalez is thinking about writing a book about matriarchal communities.
    — Kayla Levy, Curbed, 25 June 2026
  • Navajo society was matrilineal and matriarchal, and women had already long been involved in work outside the home.
    — Lua Vollaard, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026
Definition of matriarchal

Browse Nearby Words

patriarch
patriarchal
patriarchs
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Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patriarchal. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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