matriarchal

[ mey-tree-ahr-kuhl ]

/ ˌmeɪ triˈɑr kəl /

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See synonyms for matriarchal on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to a matriarch, the female head of a family, tribe, community, etc.: her matriarchal qualities of love and compassion.

characteristic of an entity, family, etc., controlled by women: matriarchal cultures in India.

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Sometimes ma·tri·ar·chic

[mey-tree-ahr-kik] /ˌmeɪ triˈɑr kɪk/ .

Origin of matriarchal

First recorded in 1840–45; matriarch + -al¹

Words nearby matriarchal

matr-, Matralia, matrass, matri-, matriarch, matriarchal, matriarchate, matriarchy, matric, matrical, matrices

How to use matriarchal in a sentence

Elephants live in matriarchal family groups, meaning an older, usually more experienced female is typically the boss.
China’s Wandering Elephants Have Charmed the World. But Steps Must Be Taken to Ensure Their Story Ends Happily|Charlie Campbell / Shanghai|July 14, 2021|Time
In the process, they often wind up battling a distorted matriarchal figure like the fabled “evil stepmother” — usually a woman who’s eschewed the traditional societal role that the princess seems destined to embrace and accept.
Why it’s so satisfying to root for Disney villains|Aja Romano|May 28, 2021|Vox
It’s worth pointing out that bonobos are matriarchal, whereas chimpanzees are dominated by the big males.
Humans Have Gotten Nicer and Better at Making War - Issue 94: Evolving|Steve Paulson|January 6, 2021|Nautilus
Jane was raised in a matriarchal family by her hyper-religious grandma and young, aspiring singer single mother.
‘Jane the Virgin’ Is The CW’s Best Show Ever|Amy Zimmerman|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

How did Glawogger gain access to such a closed matriarchal world?
‘Whores’ Glory’: An Interview With Michael Glawogger|Tracy Quan|April 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
By calling in the matriarchal troops, Elin effectively changed the rules of the game.
What Tiger's Mom Saw|Lizzie Skurnick|December 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The door was opened shortly by a tall, kindly woman, of a rather matriarchal turn.
The "Genius"|Theodore Dreiser
Arjuna had effected a temporary exogamous marriage according to matriarchal customs.
Indian Myth and Legend|Donald Alexander Mackenzie
The annual celebration of the Thesmophoria clearly derived its origin from matriarchal times.
Woman and Socialism|August Bebel
After the dissolution of the matriarchal gens, the patriarchal gens took its place with considerably diminished functions.
Woman and Socialism|August Bebel
Apparently the Latin tribes who participated in the foundation of Rome had already superseded the matriarchal development.
Woman and Socialism|August Bebel

matriarchal

Origin of matriarchal

Words nearby matriarchal

Words related to matriarchal

How to use matriarchal in a sentence