Definition

Noun: A harsh, scolding, and often unpleasant or vicious old woman. The term carries a strong negative connotation, implying a woman who is nagging, shrewish, and ill-tempered.

Usage

The word "harridan" is a noun used to describe a specific type of disagreeable older woman. It is a derogatory and somewhat old-fashioned term. It is typically used in literary contexts, character descriptions, or in criticism to convey strong disapproval of a woman's nagging or vicious behavior.

Examples

• The main antagonist in the novel is a bitter harridan who terrorizes her tenants.
• He described his former landlady as a dreadful harridan who was always shouting about noise.
• The play features a comic harridan whose sharp tongue drives the plot.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively applied to women and is considered sexist and offensive in modern usage. It is important to understand its derogatory nature.
• It can be used metaphorically in non-human contexts to describe something relentlessly harsh or nagging.
  • The harridan wind whipped through the empty streets.

Variants and Related Words

• Shrew (n): A woman who is nagging, scolding, or aggressive. (Often used interchangeably with "harridan," though "shrew" is less specific to age).
• Termagant (n): A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman. (A close synonym, also archaic and derogatory).
• Virago (n): A domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman. (Emphasizes forcefulness and aggression).

Synonyms

• Shrew
• Termagant
• Virago
• Battle-axe (informal)
• Nag
• Scold

Antonyms

• Sweetheart
• Angel
• Gentlewoman

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Old harridan: A common collocation that reinforces the age aspect of the insult.
  • She had transformed from a charming hostess into an old harridan.

Noun

1. a scolding (even vicious) old woman