taskmaster

noun

task·​mas·​ter ˈtask-ˌma-stər How to pronounce taskmaster (audio)
: one that imposes a task or burdens another with labor

Examples of taskmaster in a Sentence

pitiless taskmaster that he was, Ebenezer Scrooge only reluctantly let his ill-paid clerk have Christmas Day off known as a tough but fair taskmaster
Recent Examples on the Web But the show does not sweep the grind of creation under the rug, especially as Peter evolves into an obsessive taskmaster. Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023 Who among the emerging young players (RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley), veterans on expiring contracts (Reggie Bullock, Alec Burks) or reacquainted Thibodeau loyalists (Taj Gibson, Derrick Rose) was not going to be all-in with an old-school taskmaster, in his first year on the job? Harvey Araton, New York Times, 9 May 2021 Charlie could be something of a taskmaster. Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2021 Behind his drum kit, Guerra was a taskmaster. Hector Saldana, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Feb. 2022 Trusted friend and colleague Jody Dean does not disagree, comparing Chapman to 1960s coaching legend Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to multiple championships as an unyielding taskmaster. Michael Granberry, Dallas News, 26 Apr. 2021 Beene was a hard taskmaster but his workrooms had a technique that was unmatched in the New York ateliers at the time, and Beene had an extraordinary instinct for unusual and innovative combinations of fabric and color, and for sinuous cutting, that Alber quickly absorbed. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2021 Their relationship has predictably evolved over the years, with Burghart starting as a hard-driving taskmaster and growing into a counselor. Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Mar. 2023 We should be prepared to forgive ourselves on Monday, while messenger Mercury opposes taskmaster Saturn. Venus Australis, refinery29.com, 2 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taskmaster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taskmaster was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near taskmaster

Cite this Entry

“Taskmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taskmaster. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

taskmaster

noun
task·​mas·​ter -ˌmas-tər How to pronounce taskmaster (audio)
: one that assigns a task or burdens another with labor
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