taskmaster

noun

task·​mas·​ter ˈtask-ˌma-stər 

: one that imposes a task or burdens another with labor

Synonyms

• boss
• boss man
• captain
• chief
• foreman
• head
• headman
• helmsman
• honcho
• jefe
• kingpin
• leader
• master

Examples of taskmaster in a Sentence

pitiless taskmaster that he was, Ebenezer Scrooge only reluctantly let his ill-paid clerk have Christmas Day off

known as a tough but fair taskmaster

Recent Examples on the Web

Go From Managing Tasks To Developing People One of the most significant mindset shifts great leaders make is moving from manager as taskmaster to manager as developer. —Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

On March 2, Mercury will join your taskmaster ruler, Saturn, bringing a more serious tone to your communication style. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

In that scenario, Elizabeth was a harsh taskmaster, forcing her younger sibling into a life of drudgery. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025

Chan, now 70, laughed when asked about his reputation as a taskmaster. —Barbara Ellis, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for taskmaster

• bandmaster
• broadcaster
• cadastre
• disaster
• forecaster
• headmaster
• newscaster
• paymaster
• pilaster
• postmaster
• roadmaster
• schoolmaster

Kids Definition

taskmaster

noun

task·​mas·​ter -ˌmas-tər 

: one that assigns a task or burdens another with labor