patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce patriarchal (audio)
: 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
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On Father’s Day, two men who almost lost their daughters to the tyranny of patriarchal society are coming together on behalf of the #StandWithHer campaign. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 June 2025 Along the way, she’s fostered an underground activist scene through events, zines, photography, and mixed media, never afraid to confront patriarchal or authoritarian oppression. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025 During the Western Zhou dynasty, the Zhou maintained a strict hierarchy based on a patriarchal clan system. Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 Broad stabs of satire target the hypocritical, patriarchal victim-blaming enacted by the police and other authorities, as well as privileged self-help rhetoric that stresses comforting concepts like resilience over the collective’s preference for rage. Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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