MATRIARCHAL Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

matriarchal

adjective

Definition of matriarchal

as in female

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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 matriarchal 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 Bonobos also operate in a matriarchal society. — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 In the supporting role of the matriarchal cookhouse keeper Maria was Denyce Graves, the legendary mezzo-soprano opera star. — Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for matriarchal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matriarchal

Adjective

Roan also adds an new verse to the song, slightly changing the lyrics to reference a mediocre female suitor alongside Rodrigo’s original lines.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Roan recently performed at Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival in late August as part of an all-female lineup that featured Doechii, Rachel Chinouriri, Garbage, the Breeders and more.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of female

Adjective

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

Definition of patriarchal

Adjective

In footwear, the mood was undeniably feminine and expressive.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The reality star and Skims founder touched down at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend to support boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, bringing a little feminine energy to the Formula 1 circuit.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of feminine

Adjective

An elderly couple was found dead inside their house on Andover Avenue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon.

— Amanda Callahan, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
The former owner of several unlicensed North Texas boarding homes was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges tied to the abuse and fatal neglect of elderly and disabled clients in her care.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

After evading suspicion for years, in part because of her disarming, matronly demeanor, Puente was ultimately arrested.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026
After years of matronly tankinis, there are now some great plus-size swim pieces available on the market, including this scarlet snake-print one-piece from Nomads Swimwear.

— Sarah Chiwaya, Refinery29, 6 Apr. 2025

Definition of matronly

Adjective

Somebody like Gilroy or Jeff Kober and Barry Corbin (popping up occasionally as a pair of geriatric gangsters) will come and go in situations knowingly designed to feel contrived.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Ossoff, seen as a potential 2028 contender, said geriatric politicians have little comprehension of AI technology.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of geriatric

Adjective

With its elegant, womanly heel curving into a narrow point and its sensible perforated top designed to resemble a man's oxford dress shoe, the oxford pump is the shoe of a woman who stands between two worlds.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Marant launched her label and had her first show in 1994, quickly becoming a byword for a hip, womanly brand of boho chic.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Definition of womanly

Adjective

The agency, which reps for PR the likes of Danny Dyer, Lolly Adefope and Shazad Latif along with BAFTA and numerous production companies, has a new senior leader team led by founder and CEO Will Wood.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The executive, who was worked alongside three of Chanel’s four official creative directors, is the last of a generation of senior executives to remain in place, following the arrival in 2021 of Leena Nair as global chief executive officer of Chanel.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of senior

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“Matriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarchal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of matriarchal

adjective

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