1
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a director who has little patience for overweening actors who think they are above taking advice and criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
overweening desire for wealth and fame
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
an overweening administrator who simply doesn't know how to manage people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in inflated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
an overweening national pride that prompted its citizens to denigrate other countries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overweening
If his government does not manage to do so, Modi’s desire to play a greater role in the international system will be confounded by China’s overweening presence, both at the border and within India.
—
Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
And while there’s a variety of technology on the market designed to address this group, to which my partner and I belong, a lot of it seems somewhat overweening—and doesn’t really work.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 July 2024
That gloss overlooked the reality that people with little wealth or power frequently are forced to contend with overweening bureaucrats who invent their own authority and play by their own rules.
—Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 8 July 2024
The Court also brushed back an overweening Environmental Protection Agency rule, in Ohio v. EPA, that ran roughshod over a congressional design to share responsibility for air quality between the EPA and the states.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
And while there’s a variety of technology on the market designed to address this group, to which my partner and I belong, a lot of it seems somewhat overweening—and doesn’t really work.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 July 2024
That gloss overlooked the reality that people with little wealth or power frequently are forced to contend with overweening bureaucrats who invent their own authority and play by their own rules.
—Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 8 July 2024
The Court also brushed back an overweening Environmental Protection Agency rule, in Ohio v. EPA, that ran roughshod over a congressional design to share responsibility for air quality between the EPA and the states.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There lies the problem: the intention to customize is honorable, but the execution—excessive repetition—like the extra spaces in Mail Merge, backfires.—
Jerry Weissman,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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The day before Tanna Rae died, the U.S. National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for all of Arizona, coinciding with temperatures rising past 110 degrees.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The actor has one daughter with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and has been dating his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel since 2014. 05 of 09 John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades before Shrek came out in 2001.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Many members of its board appeared arrogant in the face of questions from the prosecutor or one of the lawyers.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of inflated price and limited availability could curtail sales of eggs for the Easter holiday, ultimately affecting the demand for egg dye kits.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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Francis then defrauded the U.S. government of at least $35 million by charging heavily inflated prices for routine services such as security, tugboats, trash removal, food and water replenishment.—
Alex Riggins,
The Mercury News,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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So for him, super proud of him and for him first and foremost.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Mar. 2025
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In part because of Dell Curry on the mic breaking down the action, jockeying between proud dad and TV analyst from his perch alongside play-by-play man Eric Collins up in Section 105.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Time after time, extreme pessimism has set the stage for outsized gains, on average, as evidenced by the 39 previous times where the number of Bulls has been equal to or less than the present tally.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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For Rico Nasty, extreme was the name of the game, with some needlepoint glam by way of her acupuncturist.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Americans are very familiar with Trump’s exaggerated self-presentation: the carnival barker who leaps to superlatives.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 Mar. 2025
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The strapless champagne mermaid gown was classic Old Hollywood glamour, but its exaggerated blade-like protrusion from the bust served as a reminder to the body horror.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s no egotistical rock star bullsh**t going on here.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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