Termagant
/ˈtɜːrməɡənt/noun
A violent, overbearing, or nagging woman.
No one wanted to upset the termagant, as her outbursts were infamous.
Often appears as...
- furious termagant
- termagant wife
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Usage Caution
Use 'termagant' carefully, as it can be offensive or sexist when describing women.
Be mindful when conversing; calling someone a 'termagant' might be seen as rude.
Pro Tip 2/3Archaic Term
'Termagant' is outdated and rarely used in modern conversation, mostly in historical or literary contexts.
In a historical novel, a character referred to a fearsome queen as a 'termagant'.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Weight
Understand the strong negative emotions 'termagant' conveys, more than just 'angry' or 'upset'.
Her portrayal as a 'termagant' in the play emphasized an extreme level of agitation.
Compare with
fishwifeharpyharridannagscoldshrewvirago
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