as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a ramrod camp director who's been known to send kids home for a minor infraction of the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ramrod
That included tutorials on how to talk to older Black people, to drop some of his ramrod military formality and to be more self-deprecating in the store.
—
Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 19 Jan. 2023
Nine months later, the parish's electric lines have been replaced by ramrod straight poles.
—Rebecca Santana, ajc, 30 May 2021
He was beloved by the British for his no-nonsense air, his ramrod straight Navy-man's posture, and his blunt words laced with a certain old-school humor at events public and private.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for ramrod
Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 19 Jan. 2023
Nine months later, the parish's electric lines have been replaced by ramrod straight poles.
—Rebecca Santana, ajc, 30 May 2021
He was beloved by the British for his no-nonsense air, his ramrod straight Navy-man's posture, and his blunt words laced with a certain old-school humor at events public and private.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for ramrod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramrod
Adjective
-
Capping those rates could backfire, resulting in significantly stricter lending standards and making credit unavailable to lower-income people or those with lower credit scores.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Per his release, the rapper must follow strict guidelines for the next five years, such as no alcohol, drug testing, and federal supervision when opening bank accounts.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After a rocky two years, the luxury industry is expected to carry its third-quarter recovery into Q4, despite some tough comparables.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
-
That hope ended on July 3, 2025 when Michael, the charismatic tough guy actor known for his memorable roles in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, died of cardiac arrest at 67 years old after a long struggle with alcoholism.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Seizures of National Park protected land, destruction of our White House, massive banners of his photo draped on the Department of Labor and USDA buildings — please tell me how Trump’s authoritarian actions are any different from Vladimir Putin or Saddam Hussein?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yet the president told The New York Times on Wednesday that US oversight of Venezuela could last for years, following its toppling of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Is the therapist easy-going or stern?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
As red and white confetti rained down onto the field at Hard Rock Stadium Monday night, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti — known for his stern demeanor on the field — widely grinned towards his players and coaches knowing his team had done what many previously thought was impossible.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Cisco positions the same rugged networking technology used in Parkie for other harsh environments, including factories, logistics hubs, and outdoor industrial sites.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The bag keeps its shape with the rigid bottom compartment and top zipper, designed to create a rectangular opening for easier packing.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Some are even practicing microshifting, the act of breaking their workday into flexible blocks rather than rigid schedules.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Shouldn’t even be that hard to sharpen the blasted thing, let alone twist it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Jones raved about his consistency, intelligence, hard work and athleticism.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Denim and cotton can survive in rigorous washing, while silk and wool will need a gentle washing.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ramrod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramrod. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
