hoity-toity 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hoity-toitynext
as in arrogant
informal having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people a bunch of hoity-toity snobs

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hoity-toity

2 of 2

noun

as in tomfoolery

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Dissimilar Words

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 hoity-toity
Adjective
Yes, ping-pong … table tennis for you hoity-toity types. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025 Alas, there is no end in sight to the tornado of hoity-toity chaos that is Martin Levy. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025 Not to be hoity-toity or artsy or whatever. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The estate played the home of Rose Byrne’s hoity-toity Helen Harris III in Bridesmaids (the backyard is where Kristen Wiig’s Annie detonated mid-bridal-shower, cookie in hand). — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Alas, there is no end in sight to the tornado of hoity-toity chaos that is Martin Levy. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025 Ditch your hoity-toity cocktail reception to get down with some hometown talent and hang with a hip-hop heavyweight. — Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Dec. 2024 From the hoity-toity BAFTAs to the jovial People’s Choice Awards, the events this past week were pretty varied. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoity-toity
  1. arrogant
  2. tomfoolery
  3. smug
  4. craziness
  5. important
  6. monkey business
  7. vain
  8. rigmarole
Adjective
  • Odysseus is a complex character known for being brilliant and crafty, but also being somewhat of an arrogant trickster.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Under normal conditions, someone who’s bossy or pushy can come across as arrogant and annoying.
    — Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of arrogant
Noun
  • This is the first sign of the kind of tomfoolery Luke has in store for the night.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • The project has been plagued by technical issues, supplier disputes, and alleged tomfoolery—empty mini tequila bottles were reportedly discovered on one of the airplanes under construction.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of tomfoolery
Adjective
  • Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
  • Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of smug
Noun
  • Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, 1982 Before the kids, the craziness and the reality show, the head-over-heels Brits tied the knot in Maui, Hawaii.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • The forecast for Thursday calls for craziness.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of craziness
Adjective
  • Other issues important to him are allocating more money for the state’s infrastructure and funding for schools, according to his campaign website.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • But the details are important, and the realization that not everything may be working efficiently or correctly.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of important
Noun
  • But this was no monkey business April Fool’s joke.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
  • Barnett was the second Mississippi resident to take the monkey business into their own hands.
    — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of monkey business
Adjective
  • They are expected to become wiser but not louder, visible but not vain, accomplished but not demanding, and well-preserved but not provocative.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026
  • Where some may see this behavior as vain or egotistical, others may perceive it as bold, self-assured and passionate.
    — Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 20 July 2026
Definition of vain
Noun
  • And the rigmarole of international travel is a very good reason.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Alternatives were mooted, such as filming in England, but flying all the crew from Poland, and their associated visa requirements, would have added to the rigmarole.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of rigmarole

Browse Nearby Words

hoists
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Cite this Entry

“Hoity-toity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoity-toity. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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