1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the haughty waiter smirked when I remarked that it was odd that a French restaurant didn't even have french fries on the menu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective haughty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of haughty are arrogant, disdainful, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

In what contexts can arrogant take the place of haughty?

The words arrogant and haughty can be used in similar contexts, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When might disdainful be a better fit than haughty?

In some situations, the words disdainful and haughty are roughly equivalent. However, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When could insolent be used to replace haughty?

While the synonyms insolent and haughty are close in meaning, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

Where would lordly be a reasonable alternative to haughty?

While in some cases nearly identical to haughty, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When would overbearing be a good substitute for haughty?

Although the words overbearing and haughty have much in common, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When can proud be used instead of haughty?

The meanings of proud and haughty largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is supercilious a more appropriate choice than haughty?

The synonyms supercilious and haughty are sometimes interchangeable, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

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 haughty And Wednesday chooses her parents over her haughty grandmama Hester (Joanna Lumley). Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 Unlike staff at some haughtier pro shops, the hotel's cohort exudes camaraderie and passion for skiing. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2025 Stories of haughty people scheming and plucky servants improving alarm clocks attract smaller audiences than, say, trench warfare. Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025 But Olson recognized that Swanson was no bitter recluse or haughty diva in the mold of Norma Desmond. Scott Huver, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
Adjective
  • Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Central Texas has a proud tradition of producing and celebrating flavorful sodas.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The godfather of modern West Indian fast bowling shakes his head slowly, having been reminded what happened the last time his once proud and near-invincible team played Test cricket.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Talking about the huddle, one of his teammates just walked off the field inexplicably (Governor Kugler) taking early retirement and two others (Waller and Bowman) are openly disdainful of his play calling.
    Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • For decades, the Academy seemed to keep Cruise at a vaguely disdainful distance, dismissing him as more of an action figure than a serious ack-TOOR.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The opt-out process escalates the company’s cavalier approach to intellectual property rights, potentially setting up a legal battle between Hollywood’s biggest studios and the AI start-up.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
  • However, some developers have gotten cavalier with what constitutes a remake — with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us series being a prime example.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, Ralph has a smug attitude when talking to Brad.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • He was too hurt to go, and probably too prideful.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • For the Connecticut Sun and its fans, the past is prideful, the future is murky.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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