patriarch
1 synonym and 2 antonyms for patriarch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use patriarch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
family patriarch
church patriarch
aging patriarch
Etymology
From Greek patriarkhēs, built from patria ("family, lineage") plus -arkhēs ("ruler"), so literally "ruler of the family."
Full origin of patriarch →Frequently asked questions
What does “patriarch” mean?
The word “patriarch” means a senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy. In plain terms, a senior male leader — of a church, a family, or a whole tradition.
How do you pronounce “patriarch”?
“Patriarch” is pronounced PAYT-rih-ahk (/ˈpeɪtɹiɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “patriarch” in a sentence?
Here is “patriarch” used in a sentence: “The patriarch of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.”
What is the opposite of “patriarch”?
The opposite of “patriarch” — its antonyms — are matriarch and materfamilias.
What part of speech is “patriarch”?
“Patriarch” is a noun.
Where does the word “patriarch” come from?
The word “patriarch” comes from Greek. From Greek patriarkhēs, built from patria ("family, lineage") plus -arkhēs ("ruler"), so literally "ruler of the family.".
Is “patriarch” a common word?
“Patriarch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “patriarch” have?
“Patriarch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy.
