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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude one dinner guest was a little lordly about her status as a vegetarian, even asking the other diners how they could bear to eat dead animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lordly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lordly are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is arrogant a more appropriate choice than lordly?

The synonyms arrogant and lordly are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When could disdainful be used to replace lordly?

The words disdainful and lordly can be used in similar contexts, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

In what contexts can haughty take the place of lordly?

While in some cases nearly identical to lordly, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When can insolent be used instead of lordly?

In some situations, the words insolent and lordly are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When might overbearing be a better fit than lordly?

While the synonyms overbearing and lordly are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to lordly?

The meanings of proud and lordly largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for lordly?

The words supercilious and lordly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lordly But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024 The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit. Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 Kings filled these cities with lordly stone monuments called stelae and pyramids of gray stone. Will Hunt, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2014 What comes next is a showdown between her force and his financial clout, between labor and the lordly class. Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 The portrait of Markram that ultimately emerges is of a lordly sovereign stalking the halls of an island mansion, an autumn of the scientific patriarch. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2022 From 1958 to 1961, sulking Giants and Dodgers fans had to put up with the lordly Yankees winning three pennants and two World Series. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 The lordly African lion in his zoo grotto will cast a sentimental glance at his shaggy mate. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2022 The latest entry in the MCU picked up $90.7 million internationally, which pushes its global total to a lordly $161.7 million. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly
Adjective
  • According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.
    Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.
    Danny K. Davis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
  • His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Any algorithmic bias, no matter how noble, that promotes cooperation skews strategy and statecraft.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Sadly, this noble, ocean-going species is on the decline throughout its native range, with many runs listed as threatened or endangered.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Pixel Watch 3 is superior to both with its mix of static and dynamic scores that offer more depth of insight.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Recently, a bold and intriguing narrative emerged from the Women’s National Basketball Association, where several players have publicly declared their capabilities as being on par with, if not superior to, those in the National Basketball Association.
    Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Looking a little debauched in her fur coat, her Clytemnestra is weary, wary of what her daughter intends, but also wonderfully haughty.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Feb. 2025
  • In those few seconds the normally likeable Burleson became very haughty.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The stakes of the German election on Sunday could not be higher.
    Ido Vock, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Like its first edition in 1951 – a year in which East-West tensions were high over the future of Berlin and the Korean War – the 75th Berlinale, running from February 13 to 23, has also unfolded in tumultuous times.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
  • So maybe, on some level, Jeff was acting out his cavalier attitude toward his own masculine spirit.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

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