as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gentleman
an honorable and courteous man
a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 cavalier
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Nikola Jokic was cavalier with the ball, and the Cavaliers took advantage.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2024
The change aims to clamp down on many crypto investors’ cavalier—and sometimes criminal—tax avoidance.
—Laura Saunders, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cavalier
Adjective
Students are cavalier about turning AI writing in to me.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
Nikola Jokic was cavalier with the ball, and the Cavaliers took advantage.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Opal is described as a 5-pound red/brown cavapoo — a mix of a King Charles cavalier and a poodle.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2024
The change aims to clamp down on many crypto investors’ cavalier—and sometimes criminal—tax avoidance.
—Laura Saunders, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cavalier
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavalier
Adjective
-
The series has devolved into a hysteria that the young and arrogant Timberwolves feed on since that first quarter of Game 2.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, many thought Tilson Thomas too brash and arrogant to lead an orchestra, and, around the same time, Tilson Thomas fell in with New York’s disco-hopping crowd.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Joshua Jackson has long been one of the cooler gentlemen on television.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Head coach Jamahl Mosley has made some notable stylistic changes since Orlando’s five-game loss to Boston last spring, but his team still plays with the same physicality that battered the Celtics during that gentlemen’s sweep.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cavalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavalier. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
