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
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.
And what good would modernity really do for a woman whose lifeforce so violently chafes against patriarchal control? David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024 In other words, a woman taking her own picture on her own terms is not enough to disrupt the patriarchal status quo. Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024 Women have, for much of history, been treated as second-class citizens in patriarchal societies. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Nov. 2024 The film’s protagonist, Lhakpa Sherpa, overcame the patriarchal culture of her native Nepal to summit Mount Everest an astonishing 10 times. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near patriarchal

Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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