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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cancer is a tough taskmaster, and doctors didn’t detect it early enough. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025 For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses. William Taubman, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025 The taskmaster planet will eventually station direct in Pisces on Nov. 27. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The mercurial chef was a stern taskmaster who demanded the absolute best from everyone who worked for him. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taskmaster

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taskmaster was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taskmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taskmaster. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

taskmaster

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