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
Relevance
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 bossy
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
Debb tried to take control of the Kucha tribe early, but the others weren't having it and saw her as bossy, voting her out at the first Tribal Council.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
The idea stems from the belief that children from single-child families tend to develop negative personality characteristics, such as being bossy, spoiled, or not social.
—
Cynthia Hanson,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
Debb tried to take control of the Kucha tribe early, but the others weren't having it and saw her as bossy, voting her out at the first Tribal Council.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
The idea stems from the belief that children from single-child families tend to develop negative personality characteristics, such as being bossy, spoiled, or not social.
—
Cynthia Hanson,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bossy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bossy
Adjective
-
Musk’s company has inked lucrative AI deals with Anthropic and Google and plans to be the domineering firm behind orbital data centers, which SpaceX has said could be deployed as early as 2028.
-
Many figures within evangelicalism have promoted an aggressive, domineering, even abusive view of manhood—affixing to it, as Du Mez argues, the label biblical.
Adjective
-
In the nation’s gravest hour, the country’s authoritarian regime has crippled an effective response, say survivors, rescue workers and former officials.
-
Some are fleeing authoritarian regimes, war or natural disasters.
Adjective
-
West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
-
Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
Cite this Entry
“Bossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bossy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
