overweening

adjective

over·​ween·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈwē-niŋ 

1

: arrogant, presumptuous

2

: immoderate, exaggerated

overweeningly adverb

Did you know?

“The overweening conceit which the greater part of men have of their own abilities is an ancient evil remarked by the philosophers and moralists of all ages.” So wrote the Scottish philosopher Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations. But while overweening conceit might be an age-old evil, the word overweening is of 14th century vintage. It developed from a form of the Middle English verb overwenen, meaning “to be arrogant.” That term built on wenen, meaning “to think” or “to suppose.” Today, the adjective overweening is the most widely used of the wenen descendants, but historical texts also occasionally include the verb overween, meaning “to think too highly of one’s own opinion.” It was also possible at one time to ween just enough, without overdoing it. All things in moderation—even self-esteem—after all.

Synonyms

• assured
• biggety [Southern & Midland]
• biggity
• bigheaded
• complacent
• conceited
• consequential
• egoistic
• egoistical
• egotistic
• egotistical
• important
• pompous
• prideful
• proud
• self-conceited
• self-important
• self-opinionated
• self-satisfied
• smug
• stuck-up
• swellheaded
• vain
• vainglorious

Examples of overweening in a Sentence

a director who has little patience for overweening actors who think they are above taking advice and criticism

overweening desire for wealth and fame

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English overwening, present participle of overwenen to be arrogant, from over + wenen to ween

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

overweening

adjective

over·​ween·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈwē-niŋ 

1

: arrogant, conceited

2

: immoderate, exaggerated

overweening pride

overweeningly adverb