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
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Recent Examples of bossy
On the show, Scales’ bossy Sybil Fawlty and Cleese’s dysfunctional Basil Fawlty run a hotel in the town of Torquay in Devon, England.
—
Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
On the second take, Russell’s bossy tone rubbed up nicely against the neediness of the moment.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The Boy Is Mine Tour kicking off next month, many fans were curious to know if the duo would ask concertgoers to adapt a certain dress code, with the pair coming up with a bossy suggestion that speaks to their positions in the music game.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 19 Sep. 2025
August begins with Mars’ debut in Libra, energizing your bossy 10th house of authority, career and reputation in the world, prompting you to focus on your professional life and public image, which leaves little time for romance.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bossy
Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
On the second take, Russell’s bossy tone rubbed up nicely against the neediness of the moment.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The Boy Is Mine Tour kicking off next month, many fans were curious to know if the duo would ask concertgoers to adapt a certain dress code, with the pair coming up with a bossy suggestion that speaks to their positions in the music game.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 19 Sep. 2025
August begins with Mars’ debut in Libra, energizing your bossy 10th house of authority, career and reputation in the world, prompting you to focus on your professional life and public image, which leaves little time for romance.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bossy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bossy
Adjective
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This is the rare movie adaptation that does cover the second half of the book, and our first glimpse of Heathcliff is as the domineering terror of his later years.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Even though Kenneth was the one to shoot Sheridan, both the jury and the judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Ronald was the domineering brother and had planned and directed the killing.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, diaspora activists may advocate positions that resonate with Western audiences, but find little support among those actually living under authoritarian rule.—
Michael Paarlberg,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bossy. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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