What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shrew
Example
She was known as a shrew because of her constant complaining. [shrew: noun]
Example
He shrewishly criticized everything she did. [shrewishly: adverb]
termagant
Example
She was a termagant who always had to have her way. [termagant: noun]
Example
He spoke in a termagant tone, shouting and berating his coworkers. [termagant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shrew is more commonly used than termagant in modern English, and it is still used to describe negative qualities in people, particularly women. Termagant, on the other hand, is considered archaic and is rarely used in contemporary language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shrew and termagant?
Both shrew and termagant are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, termagant may be considered more offensive and insulting than shrew due to its harsher tone and archaic usage.
