matriarchal

adjective

Definition of matriarchalnext
1
as in female

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in patriarchal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 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 There is a strong matriarchal figure whose presence dictates the course of action. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026 This matriarchal practice defines Tunisia’s food culture. — Boutheina Ben Salem, Vogue, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for matriarchal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matriarchal
  1. female
  2. patriarchal
  3. feminine
  4. elderly
  5. matronly
  6. geriatric
  7. womanly
  8. senior
Adjective
  • The government’s achievement caps a political transformation that has moved the Italian leader from outsider to establishment figure since becoming Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022.
    — Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The chance to honor her legacy made for a poignant coincidence for an evening devoted to female power, and a reminder that, however much has changed since Steinem first began shaking things up, there is still plenty to do.
    — Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of female
Adjective
  • In a sign of their lasting impact, Iranian director Mohsen Gharaei arrives in Venice this year with Falling House, a prophetic work warning of the crisis building in Iran after decades of oppressive, patriarchal rule by the Islamic Republic regime.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In her 1974 novel The Hearing Trumpet, a nonagenarian vegetarian heroine named Marian rebels against patriarchal institutions.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of patriarchal
Adjective
  • Through serial repetition, role-play, and the oscillation between masculine and feminine visual codes, Stötzer stages gender as something performed rather than possessed.
    — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Along with a brief moment of tenderness Sara experiences with her class’s resident dork, this feminine camaraderie makes for a nugget of niceness in a sea of despair.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of feminine
Adjective
  • Two weeks earlier, gangs attacked Fort Dimanche in Cité Soleil, where several elderly residents who were unable to flee their homes were killed.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • He was also accused of defrauding an elderly patient out of $35,000, according to initial reports.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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
  • His main competition, the geriatric Aaron Jones, should be relegated to backup duty.
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The geriatric ERs also saved Medicare up to about $3,000 a visit, according to an earlier study Hwang led.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 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
  • There isn’t room on a roster to list all the positions where North Chicago senior Amari Earl could play in a single game.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Iran is determined to smother any internal unrest Rezaei’s appointment came in a recent set of decrees by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, that formally set Iran’s new senior leadership, including top military posts.
    — Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of senior

Browse Nearby Words

matriarch
matriarchal
matriarchs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Matriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarchal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All