patriarchal

American  

[pey-tree-ahr-kuhl] / ˌpeɪ triˈɑr kəl /

Sometimes patriarchic,

adjective

1. of or relating to a patriarch, the male head of a family, tribe, community, church, order, etc..

   my father's conservative, patriarchal ways.

2. characteristic of an entity, family, church, etc., controlled by men.

   a patriarchal church in which women are not allowed to hold leadership roles.

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Other Word Forms

• antipatriarchal adjective
• antipatriarchally adverb
• patriarchally adverb
• patriarchically adverb
• quasi-patriarchal adjective
• unpatriarchal adjective
• unpatriarchally adverb

Etymology

Origin of patriarchal

First recorded in 1425–75; from Late Latin patriarchālis, equivalent to patriarch(a) patriarch ( def. ) + Latin -ālis -al ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

A patriarchal system is one run by men. Traditionally, most societies have been patriarchal, but it's now considered sexist and unfair. The patriarchal way used to be pretty much the only way: countries and societies were run by men. The U.S. was very patriarchal, especially when women couldn't even vote. Over time, these things change, though probably not fast enough. These days, calling a country or business patriarchal is usually an insult — it implies that women aren't being treated equally.

Example Sentences

Not only has Gyllenhaal taken the reins from cinema’s patriarchal collective, but she’s implemented a distinctly feminine gaze, as complex and fascinating as the social implications tucked away between the lines of Shelley’s original text.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Della Cruz’s stirring Ninoy standing tall against the patriarchal savagery of Renfro’s Ferdinand and the petty vindictiveness of Acasio’s well-drawn Imelda is a powerful call to action.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Ancient, patriarchal and oracular, Tennyson was not merely the poet laureate of England; he was, like his queen, a symbol of the British Empire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

"It is a way of asserting women's place in a world and a system that remains deeply patriarchal," stressed Centeno, an expert in non-verbal communication.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

She clearly wants to try to determine her own identity in an agentic manner versus accepting one that’s forced upon her by a patriarchal society.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

• autocratic
• dictatorial
• imperious
• rigid
• strict
• totalitarian
• tyrannical