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
  • In his fullest public argument yet about his thinking, Thiel and co-author Sam Wolfe write the figure of ultimate evil is best understood not as a monster or a tyrant but as a technocrat.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of tyrant
Noun
  • Their former leaders have been removed, and they’re now being run by a gay dictator facing internal divisions.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The deposed dictator smiled, greeted court personnel, and shook hands with lawyers after entering the courtroom, according to the Associated Press.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 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
  • When Saturn stations retrograde, the taskmaster’s lessons are more introspective.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 July 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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