Synonyms of haughty

haughty

adjective

ˈhȯ-tē 

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

• arrogant
• supercilious
• superior
• cavalier
• bumptious
• high-and-mighty
• uppity
• domineering
• pretentious
• smug
• pompous
• sniffy
• important
• dominant
• imperious
• assumptive
• high-handed
• huffy
• presumptuous
• uppish
• chesty
• lordly
• masterful
• proud
• authoritarian
• peremptory
• overweening
• high-hat
• presuming
• self-assertive
• patronizing
• lofty
• dominating
• stiff-necked
• huffish
• highfalutin
• impudent
• condescending
• toplofty
• snobbish
• boastful
• snooty
• bossy
• disdainful
• self-asserting
• snobby
• conceited
• pontifical
• cocky
• saucy
• vainglorious
• magisterial
• vain
• bombastic
• egocentric
• narcissistic
• swaggering
• impertinent
• blusterous
• hubristic
• prideful
• egotistic
• complacent
• blustery
• egoistic
• braggart
• self-satisfied
• stuck-up
• uninhibited
• self-conceited
• self-centered
• braggy
• pontificating
• self-complacent
• immodest
• bragging
• brash
• extroverted
• unreserved
• self-promoting
• orgulous
• self-flattering
• self-pleased
• self-loving
• self-affected
• self-applauding
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• lowly
• timid
• unpretentious
• bashful
• sheepish
• subdued
• shy
• diffident
• passive
• demure
• meek
• introverted
• mousy
• shrinking
• deferential
• submissive
• unassuming
• unassertive
• acquiescent
• compliant
• unobtrusive
• unarrogant
• unaggressive
• quiet
• yielding
• cringing
• self-critical
• self-doubting
• overmodest
• reserved
• cowering
• retiring

2

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

the student reporter received a haughty letter in reply to his request for an interview with the governor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• proud
• smug
• disdainful
• cavalier
• superior
• prideful
• domineering
• selfish
• lordly
• supercilious
• lofty
• conceited
• highfalutin
• snobbish
• vainglorious
• confident
• uppity
• pretentious
• condescending
• egotistic
• complacent
• impudent
• boastful
• vain
• dominating
• egoistic
• pompous
• overbearing
• cocky
• patronizing
• important
• swaggering
• self-satisfied
• self-important
• self-conceited
• stuck-up
• overconfident
• sniffy
• bombastic
• high-sounding
• self-contented
• presumptuous
• cheeky
• brassy
• saucy
• peremptory
• self-assertive
• overweening
• bossy
• egocentric
• impertinent
• bloated
• cocksure
• imperious
• brash
• audacious
• self-assured
• bold
• self-confident
• masterful
• self-glorifying
• high-handed
• self-centered
• magisterial
• forward
• sure
• presuming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• lowly
• meek
• timid
• unassuming
• homely
• bashful
• demure
• unpretentious
• shy
• unpretending
• diffident
• retiring
• deferential
• submissive
• apologetic
• unassertive
• acquiescent
• ingratiating
• passive
• compliant
• yielding
• quiet
• resigned
• subdued
• shrinking
• unobtrusive
• self-doubting
• reserved
• cringing
• cowering

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

Recent Examples of haughty

As such, lionfish possess the haughty confidence of an apex predator. — Rachel Nuwer, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

For one, Columbus’s face wears the haughtiest, most cocksure expression in Lewis’s body of work. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Many of Furgeson’s subjects were displeased by his haughty musings, which would seem less out of place if he was garbed in a royal mantle and wielding a golden scepter. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 4 June 2026

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!