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
  • Netanyahu brands Erdogan an ‘antisemitic tyrant’ Netanyahu and Katz have pushed back on the political motivation narrative, warning instead of an impending Turkish footprint in Syria.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Some tin-pot tyrant decides their country really owns part of another and invades.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • For years the company has rewritten its own rules, redesigned its products, and even bent to the demands of dictators to preserve market access.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos signed the Carter-Torrijos Treaties transferring control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama by 2000.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 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
  • In Aries, the taskmaster’s lessons are centered around independence, initiative and the courage to take the lead.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 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

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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 31 Aug. 2026.

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