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.
The film follows an orphaned girl at the bottom of a patriarchal society who works her way toward power while wrestling with family trauma and questions of identity. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2026 Rather than viewing the patriarchal regime of Gilead through the eyes of an adult survivor trying to escape it, the spin-off puts us alongside a teenager who knows no other reality. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 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 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

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 7 Jul. 2026.

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