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
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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of overweening
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.
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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
There are more talented players than ever, and this fact could blunt, just slightly, the power of the overweening stars.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
For those who truly want to reshape Washington’s overweening and militarized foreign policy, the best approach is not to engage in name-calling but to work to replace the existing foreign policy consensus and its disciples with something better.
—Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020
See all Example Sentences for overweening 
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
There are more talented players than ever, and this fact could blunt, just slightly, the power of the overweening stars.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
For those who truly want to reshape Washington’s overweening and militarized foreign policy, the best approach is not to engage in name-calling but to work to replace the existing foreign policy consensus and its disciples with something better.
—Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020
See all Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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Like David, Danson appeared as a pretentious and smug version of himself on the beloved series.Esther Kang, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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Yet the people posting vitriolic comments about Thompson feel justified in being smug about the death of this human in particular.Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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However, being unable to control excessive behaviors can cause people to stretch beyond their means and compromise their well-being and personal sustainability.Sandro da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation researchers reported in 2018 that while causes of stress for young people include poverty, trauma and discrimination, another is an excessive pressure to excel.Max Kutner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Some media outlets are surrendering to Trump already This absurd boasting — arrogant without portfolio — is just what Trump is looking for in the VOA job.Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
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Angle was able to alter between arrogant heel and lovable goofball almost on a whim.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Scroll on for six trainer trends to note for 2025. Partnerships, partnerships, partnerships Collaborations have always been a powerful tool on the sneaker landscape, with the most coveted styles selling at inflated prices on resale sites long after their initial release.Alice Cary, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
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Mangione, reportedly motivated by anger toward corporate practices, is said to have been driven by similar frustrations that these lawsuits target, especially concerning the inflated costs of essential drugs.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Funny Christmas jokes for kids, knock-knocks, memes to make dad proud How to prepare for winter 2024 — from freezing pipes to driving in snow and ice Who created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024
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As of this week, there’s even a new Glossier product on the block sure to make Emily Weiss proud, a chubby eye shadow stick that’s excellent for accentuating even the most natural of makeup looks.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Jim Clash covers extreme adventure and classic rock.Jim Clash, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
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Baseball is an extreme example, where it is accepted and understood that starting pitchers must rest for a week after starting to protect their arm.Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Even beyond the idea that an actual curse has befallen Ruby — or has befallen everyone with the bad luck (or judgment?) to have hooked up with her — Laid operates in an exaggerated version of reality where genuine human emotion has to jostle for space with cartoon plot logic.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
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But now many in the retail industry say that rumors of the mall’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The film, which centers on a group of egotistical actors making a Vietnam War movie, grossed nearly $200 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for supporting actor thanks to Robert Downey Jr.Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
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And with Elon Musk playing a key role in this new administration, who knows in which direction his bombastic, egotistical whims may take AI development?Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overweening
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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