ramrod

American  

[ram-rod] / ˈræmˌrɒd /

noun

1. a rod for ramming down the charge of a muzzleloading firearm.

2. a cleaning rod for the barrel of a firearm.

3. a strict disciplinarian; martinet.

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verb (used with object)

ramrodded, ramrodding

1. to exert discipline and authority on.

2. to strike or injure with or as if with a ramrod.

3. to accomplish or put into action by force, intimidation, etc..

   to ramrod a bill through Congress.

ramrod British  

/ ˈræmˌrɒd /

noun

1. a rod for cleaning the barrel of a rifle or other small firearms

2. a rod for ramming in the charge of a muzzle-loading firearm

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Etymology

Origin of ramrod

First recorded in 1750–60; ram ¹ + rod

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ramrod ramrodded ramrodding

It was noticeable that after an adjournment, he was back in his ramrod style stance with hands out of his pockets, behind his back.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

At his wedding he stood with ramrod military posture as guests scrawled wishes on his vest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Each picture is composed just so, to accentuate her best features: the long, swanlike neck; the well-toned midriff; the high, strong shoulders; the ramrod posture; and—this feels new—the gaunt cheeks and picture-perfect jawline.

From Slate ● Jan. 31, 2024

Not only that, the heavily tattooed figure in back remained ramrod straight with his arms at his sides, conveniently disguised in dark tinted glasses, a goatee and straw lifeguard hat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2023

I forced myself out of my hiding place and walked toward him, my back ramrod straight.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

“Rural communities that don’t have political power just get ramrodded over,” English said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2024

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, agrees the camera bill is a good one, but says the Legislature ramrodded it through without giving it any thought.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 4, 2019

The measures were ramrodded into law by rookie Democratic Governor Gaston Caperton, 49, a man who is determined to upend the state's feckless political tradition and sell mountaineers something they haven't had in decades: hope.

From Time Magazine Archive

It energized the near manic pace at which Groves ramrodded the project forward.

From Time Magazine Archive

For eleven years, grumpy Charlie had ramrodded the Bronx Democratic ma chine he inherited from Franklin D. Roosevelt's old friend, Boss Ed Flynn.

From Time Magazine Archive

“This gives us a say … to help us protect what we worked so hard for instead of just coming in and ramrodding things through,” Klicker said.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 2, 2023

After Lefaucheux was killed three years ago in an auto accident, Dreyfus, his longtime ramrodding chief of production, stepped into his job.

From Time Magazine Archive

In ramrodding an outfit to market, or seeing a plan to completion, all must stand clear of brackish water, wolfsbane and loco weed.

From The Land of Look Behind by Paul Cameron Brown

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