as in dowager
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority
even though she was 87, the matriarch of the family knew everything that was going on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matriarch
Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson, the family's matriarch, while Colman Domingo portrays Joe Jackson, the father and manager who helped launch the Jackson 5.
—
Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The pilot begins with the matriarch of the family dying, and we’re left with the aftermath.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Olive oil and za’atar are a nostalgic ode to family matriarch Basima Abdullah.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
The Madison tells the story of the New York City Clyburn family, led by Pfeiffer’s matriarch, Stacy.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The pilot begins with the matriarch of the family dying, and we’re left with the aftermath.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Olive oil and za’atar are a nostalgic ode to family matriarch Basima Abdullah.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
The Madison tells the story of the New York City Clyburn family, led by Pfeiffer’s matriarch, Stacy.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matriarch
Noun
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The show’s underpinned by the differences in character and country of Lady Cora and her formidable mother-in-law, the dowager Countess Violet Crawley, played by the equally formidable and much missed Dame Maggie Smith.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
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The empress dowager’s legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power.—
Stephanie Balkwill,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The matron on duty, Annie Leewright, booked the woman into jail.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The couple will spend the remainder of the early morning hours in a threesome with an elderly society matron, sucking on her earlobes.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matriarch. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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