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

Relevance

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 That Melania was remote, haughty, mysterious, beset by grievance and resentment. Katha Pollitt, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026 This phrase is typically dismissive, condescending, and a little bit haughty, even when intended as humor. John Bowe, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 Growing up nearby, the painter Leon Kossoff, son of Russian Jewish immigrants, could not escape the presence of the church, alien and haughty, in a district that had become an almost entirely Jewish quarter. Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Appearing in the meta pop girl mockumentary The Moment, directed by Aidan Zamiri and also starring Charli xcx (one of the Swedish actor’s favorite musicians), Skarsgård plays the haughty, just-about-doesn’t-get-it director. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
Adjective
  • Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Families gave their sons to the military and were proud to do it, and very worried.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Over Your Dead Body is not for the faint of heart, but give or take a rape threat that crosses the line into smug sadism without quite seeming to realize it, the violence lands as more comically cartoonish than horrific.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The ceremony has remained a smug political distraction ever since.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The girl's disdainful parents, unimpressed with her intelligence and independent spirit, decide to send her to Crunchem Hall, where the ruthless headmistress (Emma Thompson) specializes in bringing troublemaking tykes into line.
    Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • This cavalier attitude toward urban planning has been conjoined to a disingenuousness in the discussion of City Hall’s fate.
    Mark Lamster Architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • According to inside sources, Prince William wishes to establish a meaningful relationship with Mullally, knowing that the Archbishop will also preside over his future coronation and will, in fact, be his superior in the Church.
    Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Bolstered by a vastly superior air force and hard-to-overwhelm missile defenses, Israel is more than a match for its enemies, even Iran, and will remain so for a decade or more.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • After a scoreless first period, the defending Olympic gold medalists, too prideful to roll over, got on the scoreboard first.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The buildings that housed a prideful labor force are vandalized, colonized by squatters or boarded up.
    Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on haughty

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster