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 Nick and Jules’ sister Portia is a real trip, an alternately flighty and haughty mean girl played to devilishly effervescent perfection by Dickinson scene stealer Gus Birney. Judy Berman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026 In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines. Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026 Stella crossed the street and loitered outside the store window displaying haughty mannequins flaunting swagger coats. Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 Many observers were taken aback by his haughty tone, hypermasculine preoccupation with domination, giddiness about violence and casual attitude toward death. Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
Adjective
  • Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
  • Of course, David went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in television with characters who are often arrogant, petty and unlikable by traditional media standards.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • The people are so welcoming and friendly and proud of their city And there’s great food.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
  • After three years in the Eurovision wilderness, Romania makes a loud-and-proud comeback with a propulsive blend of nu-metal guitars, angsty melodies, and operatic trills worthy of a hand-horn salute.
    Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The test case—picturing a cow doing ballet—produces a smug bovine pirouetting.
    Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • My math teachers of old are very smug somewhere.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The popularity of e-bikes and e-motos has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lawmakers and law enforcement scrambling to regulate the bikes that are often used by young riders ignorant or disdainful of the rules of the road.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
  • In real life, Natalie is detached from her children and disdainful of her spouse, prone to violent outbursts as the farm spins out of her control.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The fact that anyone at the top is shocked by snaking security lines at airports is of a piece with the administration’s rather cavalier approach to contingency planning.
    Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Each crossbreed comes from a poodle bred with a cavalier King Charles spaniel, cocker spaniel, or Labrador retriever.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Sixers had momentum — a chance to steal (yes, steal) a game against a far (yes, far) superior Knicks team and salvage what was left of their playoff hopes after ceding the first two games of the second-round series at Madison Square Garden.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
  • These cultivars are All-America Selections winners because of their superior performance from midsummer until frost.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Remember the Icy Hot spread thick across our parents’ prideful backs after a twelve hour shift at work.
    Yesika Salgado, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The former Iranian diplomat Hossein Mousavian once scolded Americans for failing to realize that his people are prideful and vain, and that negotiations meant to humiliate and insult them won’t get far.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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