Entry Word: taskmaster

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a boss who assigns much work <pitiless taskmaster that he was, Ebenezer Scrooge only reluctantly let his ill-paid clerk have Christmas day off>

Synonyms slave driver

Related Words enslaver; authoritarian, disciplinarian, discipliner, martinet, stickler; despot, dictator, oppressor, tyrant; dominator, overlord

2 the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do <known as a tough but fair taskmaster> — see boss