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View synonyms for harridan

harridan

[hahr-i-dn]

noun

  1. a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.

    Synonyms: scold, virago, nag


harridan

/ ˈhærɪdən /

noun

  1. a scolding old woman; nag

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of harridan1

1690–1700; perhaps alteration of French haridelle thin, worn-out horse, large, gaunt woman (compared with the initial element of haras stud farm, though derivation is unclear)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of harridan1

C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to French haridelle, literally: broken-down horse; of obscure origin
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The "hobbling" scene—she uses a sledgehammer to break Paul’s ankles—elevated her to canonical b***h status: a cunning, brutal and mercurial harridan who hides her malice behind a folksy façade.

From Salon

Escola said their decision to treat Mrs. Lincoln as a batty harridan comes from a place of self-awareness: They know that they, too, are often considered “obnoxious, grating, a nuisance.”

The hard edges that painted Sylvie as a harridan boss and villain of the series have steadily softened, though never dulled completely.

More crucially, the play deals with Tanner’s fraught relationship with the queen of this company, Diana Gibson, here renamed Monica and played by Jenny O'Hara with fierce harridan humor.

Throughout her tenure as House speaker, Pelosi has been painted by Trump supporters as an unhinged harridan: crazy, conniving and hungry for power.

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