termagant
1 of 2noun
ter·ma·gant ˈtər-mə-gənt 
1
capitalized : a deity erroneously ascribed to Islam by medieval European Christians and represented in early English drama as a violent character
2
: an overbearing or nagging woman : shrew
termagant
2 of 2adjective
: overbearing, shrewish
Synonyms
Noun
- battle-ax
- battle-axe
- dragon lady
- fury
- harpy
- harridan
- shrew
- virago
- vixen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Noun
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 Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1546, in the meaning defined above
termagant
noun
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
Relevance
- shrew
- harridan
- virago
- harpy
- vixen
- battle-axe
- critic
- fury
- battle-ax
- dragon lady
- gorgon
- fishwife
- scold
- railer
- nitpicker
- faultfinder
- carper
- caviler
- censurer
- detractor
- quibbler
- castigator
- caviller
- pettifogger
- derider
- belittler