satrap

noun

sa·​trap ˈsā-ˌtrap 

also ˈsa-ˌtrap

or ˈsa-trəp

1

: the governor of a province in ancient Persia

2

a

: ruler

b

: a subordinate official : henchman

Examples of satrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the second Inauguration, the Trumps and their satraps have operated with all the commercial cunning of the Corleone family; the White House is their front, their Genco Pura Olive Oil Company. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

The quick collapse of the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satraps unsettled both nations. — Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023

The Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, is viewed largely as the Kremlin’s docile satrap. — Valerie Hopkins, BostonGlobe.com, 25 June 2023

By contrast, given Russia's dominant role in the CU, joining that group would transform Yanukovych into a satrap of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whom Yanukovych regards as the avatar of Russian arrogance. — Rajan Menon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2011

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin satrapes, from Greek satrapēs, from Old Persian khshathrapāvan, literally, protector of the dominion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for satrap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

satrap

noun

sa·​trap ˈsā-ˌtrap 

ˈsa-

1

: the governor of a division of ancient Persia

2

: a ruler who is controlled by a higher authority