termagant

noun

ter·ma·gant | \ˈtər-mə-gənt

Definition of termagant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 capitalized : a deity erroneously ascribed to Islam by medieval European Christians and represented in early English drama as a violent character

2 : an overbearing or nagging woman : shrew

termagant

adjective

Definition of termagant (Entry 2 of 2)

: overbearing, shrewish

Examples of termagant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Rita may be a bossy termagant, but her adoring Beppe appears to love being whacked around from time to time, so what’s the harm? — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Opera Theater brings flair to comic, serious Donizetti one-acters," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'termagant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.