Definition of haughtynext
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

2

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 One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns. Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 31 May 2026 These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale. Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as childhood pals turned hot and bothered frenemies having quite the torrid love affair as adults in a sumptuous and quite haughty bad romance. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 May 2026 As herself — well, a haughty, no-nonsense version of herself who evidently has beef with Streep's Runway editor-in-chief — Gaga faces off with the Oscar winner just before the Italian fashion show performance. Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • 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.
    Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Looking back, Fox is proud to be part of such a perennial classic.
    Jonathon Dornbush, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
  • Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Amusingly enough, someone who was neither perplexed nor disdainful was a young cast member by the name of Stephen Colbert.
    Kelly Leonard, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • His whole behavior toward women is so disdainful.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Later, in a conference room, Pathak and Gupta explained that their seemingly cavalier attitude toward robot welfare was actually motivated by concern for human safety.
    Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The Nuggets were particularly cavalier with second-rounders in the 2024 offseason, which turned out to be Booth’s last at the helm.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The notable summer development, to this point, has been the Dolphins’ lack of interest in adding superior outside options at safety, edge and cornerback.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • This chip enables advanced on-device AI for superior active noise cancellation, focusing on isolating human speech and handling dynamic sounds.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Other Saturday highlights included an indie throwback set from Passion Pit, a prideful performance from Rainbow Kitten Surprise, powerful vocals from Teddy Swims in the rain and dance music energy from Rüfüs Du Sol.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
  • Beginning with the pilot, there’s also been an appealing restlessness to Kate, a loose physicality and prideful disregard for glamour.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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