as in petticoat
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Recent Examples of distaff
An Elm Drive victory would give trainer Phil D’Amato a very successful weekend on the distaff side of the ledger.
—
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021
The personal rivalries on the distaff side became apparent during the transition: When the Bushes won, Nancy did not invite Barbara to tour the living quarters until January 11 — much later than was traditional.
—NBC News, 21 Apr. 2018
Even if a separate, distaff canon is built, the atmosphere against which it’s being constructed is, gradually, becoming more integrated.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2017
And behind the camera, Scherfig has created something of a distaff utopia: both the book and the screenplay were written by women.
—Richard Lawson, VanityFair.com, 6 Apr. 2017
Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021
The personal rivalries on the distaff side became apparent during the transition: When the Bushes won, Nancy did not invite Barbara to tour the living quarters until January 11 — much later than was traditional.
—NBC News, 21 Apr. 2018
Even if a separate, distaff canon is built, the atmosphere against which it’s being constructed is, gradually, becoming more integrated.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2017
And behind the camera, Scherfig has created something of a distaff utopia: both the book and the screenplay were written by women.
—Richard Lawson, VanityFair.com, 6 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distaff
Adjective
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Uzi-toting female viking warriors, a few dinosaurs and a half-dino police officer called Triceracop also featured.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 May 2025
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This practice involves buzzing next to flowers whose pollen is only released when there is a powerful air current next to their anthers so that pollen can be released to the adjacent female stigmas, facilitating pollination.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Her look, a ladylike pink ribbed off-the-shoulder cardigan and ruched dress in baby blue jersey, will be produced under Macy’s private label Bar III before being sold at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship and other select locations come spring 2026.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
9 May 2025
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Everyday Ladylike Light-wash barrel jeans from Mother Denim add a relaxed edge to a ladylike sweater set and kitten heels, making the whole look feel cool, not fussy.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distaff. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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