high-handed

adjective

high-hand·​ed ˈhī-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce high-handed (audio)
: having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings of others : arbitrary, overbearing
high-handedly adverb
high-handedness noun

Examples of high-handed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even if Beijing were to resume regular REE sales, alternative sources would remove Beijing’s temptation to high-handed policies. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 With his penchant for high-handed letter writing, Gittins escalated things to the inevitable level. Max Olesker, Longreads, 13 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'high-handed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-handed was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near high-handed

Cite this Entry

“High-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-handed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

high-handed

adjective
high-hand·​ed
-ˈhan-dəd
: having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings of others
high-handedly adverb
high-handedness noun

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