martinet

noun

Definition of martinetnext
as in tyrant
formal a person who is very strict and demands obedience from others The prison's warden was a cruel martinet.

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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 martinet His chief antagonist is his caustic first wife, Queen Marguerite (Joy DeMichelle), who operates as a kind of a martinet death doula. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 There’s Cece’s father, long vanished; Ronnie, a predator; Marcel, a martinet; Joel, a manipulator; and a random catcaller in the street, whom Cece sends scurrying away by turning her acting skills to practical use. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for martinet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martinet
  1. tyrant
  2. dictator
  3. disciplinarian
  4. taskmaster
Noun
  • Because, after all, as in all of Haber’s novels, the point is not really what is happening in the world but what is happening in the mind—in this case the mind of the pettiest of tyrants.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • Joseph Stalin—the Soviet Union’s supreme ruler from 1929 to 1953 and a murderous tyrant legendary for drinking friends and enemies under the table—was a closet oenophile, the e-mail explained.
    — Frankie Mills, Air Mail, 27 June 2026
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • In the 2022 election, Sara was the running mate of presidential candidate Marcos Jr, son of the dictator who ruled for 20 years before being deposed in 1986.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
  • Trump has praised Communist dictators in terms unlike those used by any American president outside the context of a wartime alliance.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of dictator
Noun
  • During his time with the Yankees, Mendoza was known as a disciplinarian behind the scenes, but the team loved and respected his hard coaching.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • You are asked to be teachers, counselors, social workers, disciplinarians, mentors, advocates, crisis managers and emotional anchors for children navigating an increasingly complicated world.
    — Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of disciplinarian
Noun
  • Still, as the day progresses, Mercury approaches a square to taskmaster Saturn, which becomes exact very early tomorrow.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

martial law
martinet
martinets
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Cite this Entry

“Martinet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martinet. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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