RAMROD Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

ramrod

adjective

Definition of ramrod

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

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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 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 — Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 19 Jan. 2023 Nine months later, the parish's electric lines have been replaced by ramrod straight poles.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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramrod

Adjective

But while the county has strict guidelines about cashless businesses, there are exceptions.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026
With the school’s strict dress code, Prince George will likely be seen more often in the suited style featured in his parents’ birthday post.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 July 2026

Definition of strict

Adjective

The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

This is different than the private enrichment model of typical authoritarian regimes where wealth accumulates through corruption and consists of private assets, offshore accounts, companies and family fortunes.

— Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
But Alicia soon begins to suspect that her daughter is one of the children grotesquely stolen from the desaparecidos, dissidents disappeared by the country’s authoritarian junta, and that her husband might be in on the repugnant scheme.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026

Definition of authoritarian

Adjective

Most include a warning of no refunds and a stern caution to know the limits of one’s own taste buds—something too many poor souls choose to ignore.

— Ellen Fort, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
There’s also hints of vulnerability and genuine tenderness in her stern headmistress of the bedroom, which Wilde slips in just slyly enough to let the presence of a heart peek through all the brainy brashness and hormone overload.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

In both premise and execution, the show is hugely reminiscent of the Showtime series of the aughts and early 2010s that featured women in harsh circumstances going to extremes in order to get one over on a society that didn’t care about them.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Although he would not be drawn on future product pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are set for release in September and will be affected by the harsh trading conditions.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Similarly, relying on a single, rigid path for payments is no longer enough, and alternative routes must be available.

— Moshe Kimhi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The ferry, Edghill said, was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adding another employee, buying a new piece of equipment, or expanding into a larger space all become harder when the tax code penalizes those investments.

— Kent Strang, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The progress marks the transition from years of design, research, and technology demonstrations to the construction of physical aircraft that will undergo rigorous testing before entering operational service.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Browse Nearby Words

ramp (up)

ramrod

rams

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Cite this Entry

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“Ramrod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramrod. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ramrod

adjective

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