Harridan: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฟ
harridan
[ หhรฆr.ษช.dษn ]
angry woman
A harridan is a pejorative term used to describe a strict, bossy, or unpleasant woman, often characterized by her sharp tongue and unfriendly demeanor. Harridans are typically seen as overbearing and difficult to deal with.
Synonyms
fishwife, shrew, termagant, virago.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
harridan |
Used to describe an old, unpleasant, and scolding woman. Often used in a derogatory manner.
|
shrew |
Describes a woman who is aggressively assertive and often nagging. Negative connotation implying unpleasantness.
|
termagant |
Refers to a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman. Used negatively to emphasize aggressive behavior.
|
virago |
Originally meant a strong or heroic woman, but now often used negatively to describe a domineering, aggressive woman.
|
fishwife |
Refers to a woman who is loud and coarse, often with a harsh, critical demeanor. The word implies low social status and is typically used negatively.
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Examples of usage
- She was known around the office as the harridan who always yelled at her employees.
- Don't let that harridan ruin your day with her constant complaints.
Translations
Translations of the word "harridan" in other languages:
๐ต๐น megera
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฐเฅเคเคถ เคฎเคนเคฟเคฒเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Harpyie
๐ฎ๐ฉ wanita galak
๐บ๐ฆ ะณะฐัะฟัั
๐ต๐ฑ jฤdza
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฃใใใพใใๅฅณ (ใใกใใใพใใใใใช)
๐ซ๐ท harpie
๐ช๐ธ arpรญa
๐น๐ท cadaloz
๐ฐ๐ท ์์๋ฆฌ ๋ง์ ์ฌ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงู ุฑุฃุฉ ุณููุทุฉ ุงููุณุงู
๐จ๐ฟ fรบrie
๐ธ๐ฐ fรบria
๐จ๐ณ ๆณผๅฆ (pลfรน)
๐ธ๐ฎ harpija
๐ฎ๐ธ norn
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะนาะฐะนััะป ำะนะตะป
๐ฌ๐ช แฅแแแฃแ แ แแแ แแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ nษrgiz qadฤฑn
๐ฒ๐ฝ arpรญa
Etymology
The word harridan originated in the late 17th century and is believed to have come from the French word 'haridelle', which referred to an old horse or nag. Over time, the term evolved to describe an unpleasant or nagging woman, often used in a derogatory manner.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #38,532, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 38529 decolonizing
- 38530 illegibility
- 38531 gilled
- 38532 harridan
- 38533 populousness
- 38534 nonseasonal
- 38535 hangdog
- ...