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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arbitrary
having or showing a tendency to force one's will on others without any regard to fairness or necessity
that country club tends to be rather high-handed about whom they let in and whom they shut out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of high-handed
Her work is very philosophical without feeling high-handed.
—
Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
In the hands of global celebrities, that high-handed look-at-me approach can yield marquee clunkers, projects that soak up attention and resources while missing enormous opportunities.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Dias da Costa said his party would not tolerate arrest and suppression of his supporters, accusing Embaló of high-handed tactics, after voting.
—Assana Sambu, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2025
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
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
Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
In the hands of global celebrities, that high-handed look-at-me approach can yield marquee clunkers, projects that soak up attention and resources while missing enormous opportunities.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Dias da Costa said his party would not tolerate arrest and suppression of his supporters, accusing Embaló of high-handed tactics, after voting.
—Assana Sambu, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2025
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
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
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Judges could reason the NCAA interpreting rules to allow pros from some leagues, but not others, is hypocritical and arbitrary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“High-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-handed. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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