virago
Domineering, scolding woman
A virago is a domineering, ill-tempered woman—one perceived as loud, overbearing, or unfeminine in her assertiveness.
The word is old-fashioned and carries sexist undertones, implying that forceful behavior in women is unnatural or threatening: His mother-in-law was a virago who ruled the household.
Historically, virago could mean a heroic woman of masculine strength, but this positive sense has faded.
Harsh, quarrelsome woman
- shrewIll-tempered woman, or insectivore
- harridanIll-tempered older woman
- scoldRebuke harshly
- fishwifeLoud, scolding woman
battle-axe · vixen · spitfire · tartar · virulent · nagging · quarrelsome · ill-tempered
Formidable warlike woman
- valkyrieChooser of the slain
- shield-maidenFemale Viking combatant
- battle-axeHeavy bladed war tool
- combatantOne who fights
fighter · Zenobia · Artemisia · fierce · formidable · fearless · valiant · indomitable
Freely expressing opinions
- commandingExerting strong authority
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
- boldCourageous and daring
- defiantOpenly resisting control
unyielding · dominant · authoritative · formidable · intimidating · fierce · stern · steely
Militant women's voting advocate
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- emancipatorOne who frees others
- liberatorOne who frees others
activist · crusader · advocate · reformer · matriarch · groundbreaking · unconventional · rebellious
termagant
Harsh, quarrelsome woman
fishwife · battle-axe · vixen · spitfire · tartar · virulent · nagging · quarrelsome · ill-tempered · sharp-tongued
amazon
Formidable warlike woman
- valkyrieChooser of the slain
- shield-maidenFemale Viking combatant
- battle-axeHeavy bladed war tool
combatant · fighter · Zenobia · Artemisia · fierce · formidable · fearless · valiant · indomitable · martial
outspoken
Freely expressing opinions
- commandingExerting strong authority
- forcefulExerting strong pressure
- boldCourageous and daring
defiant · unyielding · dominant · authoritative · formidable · intimidating · fierce · stern · steely · iron-willed
suffragette
Militant women's voting advocate
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- emancipatorOne who frees others
liberator · activist · crusader · advocate · reformer · matriarch · groundbreaking · unconventional · rebellious · revolutionary
- feisty womenfirebrand, hellcat, vixen, shrew, tigress
- old insultsknave, varlet, scoundrel, rogue, blackguard
- femme fatalesfemme fatale, seductress, temptress, vixen, enchantress
viragoshrinking violet
Extremely timid person
milquetoast · gentle soul · doormat · wallflower · lamb
viragosubmissive
Readily yielding to control
meek · docile · deferential · timid · retiring