taskmaster

[task-mas-ter, tahsk-mah-ster]

See more synonyms for taskmaster on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.
a person who supervises rigorously the work of others.

Origin of taskmaster

First recorded in 1520–30; task + master

Related formstask·mas·ter·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for taskmaster

disciplinarian, supervisor, employer, director, manager, tyrant, overseer, owner, boss, foreperson, dominator

Examples from the Web for taskmaster

Historical Examples of taskmaster

There the prisoners are at ease together; They hear not the voice of the taskmaster.
Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature
Various
The taskmaster does not now interfere with him as he was wont to do when he first arrived.
The Pirate City
R.M. Ballantyne
What he needed was a taskmaster like you to call him to terms now and then.
Plays by August Strindberg, Fourth Series
August Strindberg
But as soon as the taskmaster has departed, even a pretence of work ceases.
The Seven Curses of London
James Greenwood
But when the sun set she claimed her freedom; and her taskmaster did not dare to say her nay.
Folle-Farine
Ouida

British Dictionary definitions for taskmaster

taskmaster

noun

a person, discipline, etc, that enforces work, esp hard or continuous workhis teacher is a hard taskmaster

Derived Formstaskmistress, fem n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for taskmaster

1520s, from task (n.) + master (n.).