patriarchy
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for patriarchy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A social system in which men hold most of the power, and in which authority, property and status pass primarily through men.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
male dominance
patriarchate
Antonyms
How to use patriarchy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the patriarchy
smash the patriarchy
patriarchal society
Etymology
From Greek "patriarkhēs," the head of a family, from "patēr" (father) plus "arkhein" (to rule).
Full origin of patriarchy →Frequently asked questions
What does patriarchy mean?
A social system in which men hold most of the power and influence — in government, business, property and family authority. In modern usage it usually describes a structural pattern rather than any individual man.
What is the opposite of patriarchy?
Matriarchy, a system in which women hold that authority. Genuine matriarchies are historically rare, which is part of why the words are not used with equal frequency.
