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disciplinarian

noun

Definition of disciplinariannext
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disciplinarian Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025 Either way, Columbia could more easily identify the protesters, much to the advantage of disciplinarians looking to move fast. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025 Both were industrious strivers at work and strict disciplinarians at home. — Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for disciplinarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplinarian
  1. enforcer
  2. taskmaster
  3. authoritarian
  4. dictator
Noun
  • Naomi Watts stars as a midwife who uncovers a Russian prostitution ring that draws in the son of the godfather, played by Vincent Cassel, and an enforcer, played by Viggo Mortensen, in one of his best screen performances.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Connor Clattenburg is a throwback player who can play agitator and enforcer and chip in with goals.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of enforcer
Noun
  • Also known as the planet of structure, discipline and limitations, the taskmaster’s journey through Aries creates friction between our instincts and restraint.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
  • She is thrown into isolation before getting the opportunity to once again assimilate, Marc is a genuine taskmaster, but a dedicated defender publicly and to the cops about the legitimacy of his operation and its residents.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Definition of taskmaster
Noun
  • This was demonstrated in Hungary in April, when opposition leader Péter Magyar convincingly won an election against a long-ruling, right-wing authoritarian.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2026
  • And the solution is simply to replace the corrupt, racist authoritarian with a governing party that respects the rule of law, equality, and basic decency.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of authoritarian
Noun
  • Well, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and I often argue, jokingly, about which of us is the bigger dictator.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Ovechkin, who turns 41 on Thursday — the same day the Capitals open training camp — has long been a public supporter of Putin, the de facto dictator whose authoritarian regime has overseen a full-scale war with neighboring Ukraine since 2022.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of dictator

Browse Nearby Words

disciplinable
disciplinarian
disciplinarians
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Cite this Entry

“Disciplinarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplinarian. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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