1. a social system, ideology, or practice in which men hold primary power and dominance in family, society, and institutions
Usage: often used in academic and social criticism contexts; frequently discussed in feminist theory and gender studies

Examples

• Scholars have critiqued patriarchism as a barrier to gender equality.
• The novel explores how patriarchism shaped family dynamics in the 19th century.
• Feminist movements have challenged patriarchism in law and politics.
• Many cultures have historically been organized around patriarchism.
• The study examines the effects of patriarchism on women's economic opportunities.