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View synonyms for patriarchy

patriarchy

[ pey-tree-ahr-kee ]

noun

, plural pa·tri·arch·ies.
  1. a form of social organization in which the father is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe and descent is reckoned in the male line, with the children belonging to the father's clan or tribe.
  2. a society, community, or country based on this social organization.
  3. a social system in which power is held by men, through cultural norms and customs that favor men and withhold opportunity from women:

    The corporate glass ceiling is one consequence of patriarchy in education and business.

  4. Often the Patriarchy. the men in power in a society:

    The Patriarchy is vested in maintenance of the status quo.



patriarchy

/ ˈpeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪ /

noun

  1. a form of social organization in which a male is the head of the family and descent, kinship, and title are traced through the male line
  2. any society governed by such a system


patriarchy

  1. A family or society in which authority is vested in males, through whom descent and inheritance are traced. ( See also matriarchy and primogeniture .)


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Other Words From

  • anti·patri·archy noun plural antipatriarchies

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Word History and Origins

Origin of patriarchy1

First recorded in 1555–65; ultimately from Greek patriarchía, derivation of patriárchēs and -ía noun suffix; patriarch ( def ), -y 3( def )

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Example Sentences

Elementary-age kids won’t understand structural sexism and the patriarchy, so instead, talk to them about fairness.

They also ask questions about issues like patriarchy, capitalism, and oppression that I’m definitely not qualified to answer in a 30-second soundbite.

From Vox

The patriarchy can try to control us, but some of us cannot be controlled.

From Time

A mortal woman who takes on the patriarchy—even one of exceptional abilities, like Carey Mulligan’s super-intelligent character—is likely to destroy herself in the process.

From Time

A huge part of this is a horrific reflection of the misogyny—cloaked in patriarchy—that the military holds dear, having beaten it into the hearts and minds of the people of Myanmar.

From Time

She was born into a patriarchy and an industry that hyper-sexualizes women all the time.

She is against the patriarchy, especially when personified in villainous ogres like the Duke of Deception.

“They will be the advocates of patriarchy, traditional systems and behavior,” Dhakal says.

And maybe dealing a death blow to the patriarchy in the process.

Or a select few can boost their grades by braiding their armpit hair and fighting the patriarchy.

Descent was matrilinear, and a society known as matriarchy existed, as contrasted to the later patriarchy.

Patriarchy succeeded matriarchy, but whether as a gradual evolution or otherwise is not clear.

The people seem to be in a transition state between Patriarchy and Matriarchy.

In this we seem to have the savor of a system of patriarchy.

The first form of government was a patriarchy—the father of the family and of the tribe being the ruler.

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Related Words

  • patriarchism
  • patriarchship

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