1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the manager displayed a high-handed demeanor that increasingly demoralized the members of his staff

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2

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 high-handed But his high-handed, arbitrary seizure of power may have permanently scarred the system of careful checks and balances meant to keep government at all levels accountable to the people. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025 The sociopolitical implications of his story—desperate poverty, harassment by the police, along with exploitation by the boxing business and its high-handed authorities—are balanced by his earnest self-analyses and the detailing of his home life. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 Edward took a story that on paper could be very procedural and high-handed and made something that has this propulsive, edge-of-your-seat, wildly cinematic energy. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 May 2024 Even if Beijing were to resume regular REE sales, alternative sources would remove Beijing’s temptation to high-handed policies. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 With his penchant for high-handed letter writing, Gittins escalated things to the inevitable level. Max Olesker, Longreads, 13 July 2023 Georgian society, however, has shown increasing signs of fatigue with the former government’s high-handed policies. Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-handed
Adjective
  • These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • If senior figures display rudeness or disrespect, employees may assume that such behavior is acceptable, making selective enforcement seem arbitrary and undermining of trust.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, Burroughs further held that the administration’s actions were arbitrary and capricious, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
    Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“High-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-handed. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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