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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Their sponsors said they were aimed at reducing excessive regulatory burdens and federal spending, and safeguarding Medicaid and Medicare.—
Gabriella Borter,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Ueda’s comments come after BOJ board member Hajime Takata reportedly said Tuesday that the Japanese central bank needs to raise interest rates further, as keeping them low at current levels could result in excessive risk-taking and higher inflation.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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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
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In return, Medina submitted fraudulently inflated budgets to obtain multiple contracts through the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, which was overseeing the housing program.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Reports said that over 50,000 tickets ended up on resale sites, despite efforts to restrict touts re-selling tickets at inflated prices.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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The more extreme Noah (Taz Skylar) wants to shed blood.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
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In low-lying Bangladesh, 60% of the population is at high risk of floods, and climate change is making extreme rainfall even more common.—
Natalie Donback,
TIME,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Sophie Thatcher, among other guests, delivered gothic inspiration with their outfits, embracing current red carpet trends such as sheer dressing and exaggerated silhouettes.—
Renan Botelho,
WWD,
14 Feb. 2025
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These are exaggerated, and factually possible, scenarios.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2025.
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