Synonyms of termagant

termagant

noun

ˈtər-mə-gənt 

as in shrew

a bad-tempered scolding woman

when she finally met her grandmother, she couldn't believe the sweet old lady was the same woman she'd heard all her life described as a termagant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shrew
• harridan
• virago
• vixen
• harpy
• battle-ax
• critic
• fury
• dragon lady
• gorgon
• fishwife
• scold
• railer
• faultfinder
• nitpicker
• detractor
• censurer
• carper
• quibbler
• caviler
• castigator
• pettifogger
• derider
• belittler

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of termagant

Rather than returning to a patient Penelope, Rip has fled the termagant Dame Van Winkle. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

But the film belongs to Moreno, clearly relishing the chance to play an unapologetic termagant. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2022

Rita may be a bossy termagant, but her adoring Beppe appears to love being whacked around from time to time, so what’s the harm? — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018