1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
his lordly attitude toward people who enjoy popular music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in noble
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature
born to great wealth, he has always displayed a lordly generosity toward the less fortunate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Player for player Atlanta shouldn’t be scaring the lordly Dodgers like this.
—Ray Glier, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
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
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
Player for player Atlanta shouldn’t be scaring the lordly Dodgers like this.
—Ray Glier, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly
Adjective
-
The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
But while Boyle is proud of his influence on the zombie film landscape, he’s mostly abstained from watching any of those movies himself.—
Jake Kleinman,
Wired News,
20 June 2025
-
That one small step was just the beginning, paving the way for a succession of shorts and feature-length films that have been proud to wear their sci-fi credentials on their Space Ranger sleeves.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
At first glance, servant leadership sounds both noble and compelling.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The instinct behind this trend—to broaden one’s circle of concern—was noble.—
David Litt,
Time,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The first trailer for the game begins with a conversation between M, Bond’s classic superior and occasional foil, and Greenway, an original character described by IO Interactive’ website as a mentor figure (although no voice actors for the roles have been announced).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2025
-
The dining room’s massive plate glass windows look onto the busy Via del Tritone for superior people watching without the exhaust and noise of traffic.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
This information doesn’t make the prospect of leaving her home painless, but Ruth approaches it with a haughty dignity that soon becomes familiar.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
-
Napoleon, the pig who takes despotic control of the farm following the revolution — voiced with haughty gusto by Seth Rogen — bears an uncanny resemblance to the current occupant of the White House.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Key stat Muncy tied his career high with seven RBIs.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Al Ain is the fourth-biggest city in the UAE and has the highest proportion of Emiratis living there of anywhere in the country, but cricket remains a far more popular sport with the Asian diaspora.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Vance was similarly cavalier about the Administration’s noncompliance with court orders—and even about the fact that Abrego Garcia, convicted of no crime in the United States or El Salvador, has been imprisoned indefinitely.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
-
Meet my very good boys (pictured): Scooter is a nine-year-old cavapoo (cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle mix).—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The smug and sanctimonious tenor of their briefing makes that plain.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
-
In a comedic twist, the Labrador retriever was filmed turning back to his owner during the drive, with a smug look on his face as if to boast about his comfortable spot.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share