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 Japan’s monarchy has for centuries maintained male-only succession, which is on-brand for a deeply patriarchal society where men dominate other spheres of life such as business and politics. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 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 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
  • Palo Alto police confirmed the 49ers coach was at fault and said a clerical error led a state database to wrongly blame the other driver, a 21-year-old woman.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Brookings found that this vulnerable group is primarily located in clerical and administrative occupations, and 86 percent are women.
    — Peter D. Banko, Forbes.com, 27 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
  • At 80 years old, Occhicone became the second-oldest inmate ever executed in the United States and the oldest inmate ever executed in Florida, which is putting more elderly prisoners to death than any other state in the nation.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • The government also gave the green light for private care facilities for elderly Cubans — many young Cubans who would have traditionally cared for their aging relatives have migrated abroad.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 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
  • Beijing has appointed its own senior monks, maintained close surveillance and controls on religious expression, and faced allegations of cracking down on peaceful dissent and forcing the large-scale relocation of rural and nomadic Tibetans.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Twelve of its 13 members approved it, including senior figures in the Revolutionary Guard and the military.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 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
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 4 Aug. 2026.

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