paterfamilias

noun

Definition of paterfamiliasnext
as in patriarch

Related Words

Relevance

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 paterfamilias Schumer’s actions as paterfamilias of Senate Democrats are often informed by his New York sensibilities. — Grace Segers, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2022 There’s also a concern about acting as if your son were a source of shame, a secret to be hidden from the paterfamilias. — Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2022 This is Putin’s vision of the Russian world, a strong and blessed house with Russia as the paterfamilias, tough and occasionally harsh, but ultimately benevolent, sharing the fruits of Russian civilization with those who belong to its world. — Tom McTague, The Atlantic, 18 June 2022 Andy Garcia plays the paterfamilias in this 2022 remake of the 1991 remake of the 1950 comedy. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 12 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for paterfamilias
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paterfamilias
patriarch
Noun
  • Landon starred as the Ingalls family patriarch, Charles, Karen Grassle played his wife, Caroline, and Gilbert portrayed their daughter, Laura.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Dickens — a devoted patriarch — took custody of all his children save for his eldest son.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of patriarch

Browse Nearby Words

pater
paterfamilias
paternities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paterfamilias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paterfamilias. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on paterfamilias

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paterfamilias

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All