Synonyms of bossy

bossy

adjective

ˈbȯ-sē 

as in domineering

fond of ordering people around

I don't want to work with him because he's so bossy and always runs roughshod over me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• domineering
• authoritarian
• arrogant
• authoritative
• overbearing
• aggressive
• autocratic
• dictatorial
• tyrannical
• proud
• despotic
• imperious
• commanding
• tyrannous
• controlling
• masterful
• peremptory
• uppity
• stern
• haughty
• supercilious
• high-and-mighty
• important
• pretentious
• assertive
• regimental
• presumptuous
• superior
• huffy
• disdainful
• imperial
• assumptive
• conceited
• narcissistic
• arbitrary
• high-hat
• lordly
• uppish
• overweening
• magisterial
• high-handed
• pompous
• directorial
• omnipotent
• highfalutin
• all-powerful
• dictating
• self-assertive
• vain
• lofty
• fastuous
• self-asserting
• toplofty
• imperative
• almighty
• presuming
• firm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• meek
• modest
• obedient
• unassuming
• docile
• amenable
• tractable
• passive
• indecisive
• submissive
• compliant
• irresolute
• yielding
• acquiescent
• resigned

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bossy

The Swallows were a pretty dull group of four siblings—Susan was always doing the cooking and discussing the best way to scramble egg, while bossy John was some kind of Tory MP in the making. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

Running Furrever Friends is Brandi (Amy Sedaris), a bossy little Shih Tzu, and her owner, Seth (Gil Ozeri). — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Interactions with friends and groups could get out of hand with high energy that becomes bossy. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026

That conceptual tension has led early users to experience agentic AI as a sort of bossy servant. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026