variants
or schoolma'am
as in teacher
US, old-fashioned
a woman who teaches in a school in a small town or in the country
In the movie, she plays a doting schoolmarm in colonial New England.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of schoolmarm
University deans, schoolmarms and human resources managers penned dress codes outright forbidding the garment or relegating it to certain areas.
—
The Conversation, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2023
Visitors can relive a school experience from the early 20th century, complete with a schoolmarm and an outhouse.
—Jshortavon, cleveland, 23 July 2023
Then there’s Jeffrey Wright’s gung-ho military man, Matt Dillon’s bubbleheaded grease monkey, Steve Carell’s apologetic motel owner, Maya Hawke’s friendly schoolmarm, and Rupert Friend’s cowboy loverboy.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2023
In the music video, Gavin plays the titular cheerleader who is smitten with a girl in the program; meanwhile, Bridgers plays the pink-haired schoolmarm in charge, while popular gay comedian Caleb Hearon plays a conflicted gay coach.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022
On hand to enforce the rules is an electronic schoolmarm called Lana, who resembles a Google Home under the influence of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
—Judy Berman, Time, 16 Apr. 2020
The October 2019 cover of Harper’s Bazaar featured Demi Moore dressed in Victorian schoolmarm wear, replete with knotted collar and wire-rimmed glasses.
—Cintra Wilson, The New York Review of Books, 11 Feb. 2020
These disingenuous characterizations — the zealous youngster and the wise schoolmarm — are trite.
—Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2019
All the the things people criticize her for — schoolmarm-ish, lecturing, dour, droning — are music to your ears.
—Jim Geraghty, National Review, 23 Sep. 2019
The Conversation, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2023
Visitors can relive a school experience from the early 20th century, complete with a schoolmarm and an outhouse.
—Jshortavon, cleveland, 23 July 2023
Then there’s Jeffrey Wright’s gung-ho military man, Matt Dillon’s bubbleheaded grease monkey, Steve Carell’s apologetic motel owner, Maya Hawke’s friendly schoolmarm, and Rupert Friend’s cowboy loverboy.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2023
In the music video, Gavin plays the titular cheerleader who is smitten with a girl in the program; meanwhile, Bridgers plays the pink-haired schoolmarm in charge, while popular gay comedian Caleb Hearon plays a conflicted gay coach.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022
On hand to enforce the rules is an electronic schoolmarm called Lana, who resembles a Google Home under the influence of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
—Judy Berman, Time, 16 Apr. 2020
The October 2019 cover of Harper’s Bazaar featured Demi Moore dressed in Victorian schoolmarm wear, replete with knotted collar and wire-rimmed glasses.
—Cintra Wilson, The New York Review of Books, 11 Feb. 2020
These disingenuous characterizations — the zealous youngster and the wise schoolmarm — are trite.
—Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2019
All the the things people criticize her for — schoolmarm-ish, lecturing, dour, droning — are music to your ears.
—Jim Geraghty, National Review, 23 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schoolmarm
Noun
-
The teacher then changed her mind and put it back in the original spot.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The former high school teacher and her utility lineman husband, married since October 2014, both really wanted a family.—
Steve Hartman,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Any Vanderpump Rules fan will remember Ariana Maddix calling his mistress a dementor, so this reference feels particularly apt.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Enter Layne as the president’s mistress, Dusty – does the name Stormy come to mind?—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In 2020, instructors provided training to 17 military bases located in Europe and Asia.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
7 Feb. 2025
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At a recent school board meeting, Ray Joachim’s salary as an assistant instructor for veterans’ training class was increased to $250 per month.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near schoolmarm
Cite this Entry
“Schoolmarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schoolmarm. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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