PATRIARCHAL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

patriarchal

adjective

Definition of patriarchal

as in clerical

Related Words

Relevance

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 next year, Women Without Men was released, interweaving the stories of five women attempting to free themselves from the patriarchal oppression of 1953 Tehran. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 July 2026 For them, the future of American conservatism should be rooted in a patriarchal version of Christianity and an unapologetic ethnonationalism. — Charlie Sabgir, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 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 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 See All Example Sentences for patriarchal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patriarchal

Adjective

After doing clerical work, he was assigned to the Katsura Imperial Villa in his fourth year.

— Hiroshige Yazawa Japan News, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
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

Definition of clerical

Adjective

The motion requests that a judge allow Allaway to leave a geriatric unit at Napa State Hospital and instead take part in outpatient treatment.

— Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 14 July 2026
John Goodman co-stars as a geriatric US president, with Mercedes Hernandez playing Digger’s housekeeper.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 July 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

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

— Mary Lyle, Arkansas Online, 23 July 2026
One Sunday, Henrichsen assaulted an elderly couple walking along a road, knocking over an 80-year-old man and striking his wife, according to a memo compiled by the neighborhood homeowner’s association.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 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

Redshirt senior Maddux Madsen is heading into his third year as the full-time starter for Boise State football, with little in the way of competition for his starting spot in 2026.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026
However, the senior manager changed his mind after the two began working together.

— Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of senior

Adjective

Ghost have shared the new trailer for 2 Big to Rig, the upcoming concert film documenting the Swedish papal heavy metal outfit’s 2025 gigs in Mexico City.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
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

Definition of papal

Browse Nearby Words

patriarch

patriarchal

patriarchs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patriarchal. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of patriarchal

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes