as in enforcer
a person who is very strict about punishing bad behavior; a person who uses discipline as a way of making sure that rules or orders are obeyed
The school's principal is a strict disciplinarian.
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Recent Examples of disciplinarian
The 45-year-old wife, accused of being the primary disciplinarian, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while the 43-year-old husband received a 10-year sentence.
—
Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
There are no old-school disciplinarians in the NFL any longer, but Campbell’s success is based on toughness, winning the one-on-one battles and gambling that his team will be successful on fourth-down plays.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Then again, look across the NFL landscape and find an old-school disciplinarian prowling a sideline.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for disciplinarian
Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
After three years with John Fox, Pace didn’t need to fully reset the culture inside Halas Hall and bring in an experienced disciplinarian because Fox had helped clean up the mess left behind by the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman administration.
—Adam Jahns, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
There are no old-school disciplinarians in the NFL any longer, but Campbell’s success is based on toughness, winning the one-on-one battles and gambling that his team will be successful on fourth-down plays.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Then again, look across the NFL landscape and find an old-school disciplinarian prowling a sideline.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for disciplinarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplinarian
Noun
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Those promises are made out of convenience and in order to encourage enforcers to approve a deal.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The pair want to open a diner together to provide for their children, but when Ray attempts to quit his post as a mob enforcer, his boss turns violent in a crusade against him — and involves Audrey and the children in the perilous battle.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Provide coaching and mentorship so managers become inspiring guides rather than just taskmasters.—
Melanie Hughes,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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On July 13, taskmaster Saturn will station retrograde in Aries, presenting the opportunity to recalibrate and refocus.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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He was later toppled by a military coup in 1966, which was allegedly backed by the CIA, after he was cast as a dictator.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
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The retiring wrestler plays an ex-Special Forces operative who takes a gig escorting a journalist into the jungles of South America to interview a dictator.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disciplinarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplinarian. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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