overlord

noun

over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd How to pronounce overlord (audio)
1
: a lord over other lords : a lord paramount
2
a
: an absolute or supreme ruler
b
: one having great power or authority
a corporate overlord
overlordship
ˈō-vər-ˌlȯrd-ˌship How to pronounce overlord (audio)
ˌō-vər-ˈlȯrd-
noun

Examples of overlord in a Sentence

He is the overlord of the underground gambling industry.
Recent Examples on the Web Stealing is what corporate overlords know how to do. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 The film is co-distributed by Searchlight and L.A. Times Studios, so a victory here would make my overlords happy. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 During the Cold War, the overlords of the Eastern bloc used art to portray an idealized communist life. Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 Regional leaders have described the behavior of the central government, which holds more power than in federal systems like the United States’, as that of a colonial overlord. Hari Kumar, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 At a time when artificial intelligence has assumed overlord status in the popular imagination, Nigel is a reminder of the unknown limits of human performance and the mysteries of the human mind. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Mar. 2024 My fears are somewhat different than some of the people who are worried about AI overlords and things like that. Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 At a minimum, the tech overlords would get credit for stepping into the gladiatorial arena. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overlord.' 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

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlord was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near overlord

Cite this Entry

“Overlord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlord. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

overlord

noun
over·​lord ˈō-vər-ˌlȯ(ə)rd How to pronounce overlord (audio)
1
: a lord who rules over other lords
2
: an absolute or supreme ruler

More from Merriam-Webster on overlord

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