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
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Example Sentences
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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Nine months later, the parish's electric lines have been replaced by ramrod straight poles.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Nine months later, the parish's electric lines have been replaced by ramrod straight poles.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
-
The effort focused on brighter street lighting, stricter enforcement against underage alcohol use and a dedicated EMS presence on Sixth Street during weekend nights.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Gandi says the licensure standards are stricter now.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Heat’s climb to get out of the play-in tournament this season just got tougher.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Regulation overseas may be a tougher sell.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet the tyrannical impulse of authoritarian populists is the same across the world.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Simultaneously, the rise of populist, authoritarian leaders and the radical right is destabilizing democracies.—
Time,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The sternest test for Gochis (31-2) came from the previously unbeaten Nidelea-Polanin (25-1).—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But Emerald was made of sterner stuff.—
Robert Moor,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The scene, however, of Myers skating around for warmups and enjoying some time with his family underscored the harsh realities of trade deadline season for the players — and the families — directly involved.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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While many ground covers are resilient and can thrive in harsh growing conditions, such as areas with full sun and dry soil, environments that are overly damp and soggy can be tricky for certain ground covers.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In the South, gardening is less about rigid dates and more about reading the season.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
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That powder-keg moment quickly spread nationwide, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with a regime that has systematically devastated the country while clinging to its rigid ideology.—
Lily Moayeri,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For now, clarity is powering media shares higher, but conviction in AI is proving harder to sustain.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The hard part is getting a deal done.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Many rigorous studies show that these ads can benefit patients’ health by encouraging them to seek lifesaving treatment for conditions such as depression and heart disease and sparking conversations with their doctors.—
Anna Chorniy,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The school has a little bit of everything with 34 athletic teams, 50 clubs and rigorous college-level academics.—
February 27,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ramrod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramrod. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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