patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce patriarchal (audio)
Synonyms of patriarchalnext
: of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy
a patriarchal culture
a patriarchal religion

Examples of patriarchal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In that sense, New Stanford replicates an ancient form of patriarchal bias that casts men as the norm and women as an atypical other. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 The patriarchal, academic, hierarchical setting of hospitals, particularly university hospitals, is overwhelmingly daunting for me. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 Nacer is quite good at variations of patriarchal obliviousness, and Pebdani suffuses her women with streaks of guilt. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 One protester attended the demonstration dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian television series about women in a patriarchal society. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patriarchal

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriarchal was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing patriarchal

Rhymes for patriarchal

See All Rhymes for patriarchal

Browse Nearby Words

patriarch
patriarchal
patriarchal cross
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Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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