lordliness 1 of 2

lordly

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adjective

1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude one dinner guest was a little lordly about her status as a vegetarian, even asking the other diners how they could bear to eat dead animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lordly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lordly are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is arrogant a more appropriate choice than lordly?

The synonyms arrogant and lordly are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When could disdainful be used to replace lordly?

The words disdainful and lordly can be used in similar contexts, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

In what contexts can haughty take the place of lordly?

While in some cases nearly identical to lordly, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When can insolent be used instead of lordly?

In some situations, the words insolent and lordly are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When might overbearing be a better fit than lordly?

While the synonyms overbearing and lordly are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to lordly?

The meanings of proud and lordly largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for lordly?

The words supercilious and lordly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lordliness
Adjective
But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024 The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit. Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 What comes next is a showdown between her force and his financial clout, between labor and the lordly class. Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 The portrait of Markram that ultimately emerges is of a lordly sovereign stalking the halls of an island mansion, an autumn of the scientific patriarch. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2022 From 1958 to 1961, sulking Giants and Dodgers fans had to put up with the lordly Yankees winning three pennants and two World Series. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 The lordly African lion in his zoo grotto will cast a sentimental glance at his shaggy mate. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2022 The latest entry in the MCU picked up $90.7 million internationally, which pushes its global total to a lordly $161.7 million. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Nov. 2021 Player for player Atlanta shouldn’t be scaring the lordly Dodgers like this. Ray Glier, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordliness
Noun
  • The failure to heed early warnings from experts like Makary and Bhattacharya—now in positions to reshape federal health policy—underscores the arrogance of it all.
    Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
  • One of the habits of being trustworthy is being humble, so when assertiveness tips into arrogance this is a red flag for potential clients.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Next time, put your phone away, watch, and be proud.
    Janine Clements, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
  • This is a proud program with a history of success, but Southern Miss has fallen on hard times, with four losing records in the last five seasons.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • By sincerely comforting and relying on each other, their love becomes noble.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Again, this doesn’t appear to be entirely selfless or noble, as these plans are part of his attempt to get time served for his two convictions of transportation to engage in prostitution.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • His documentation has qualities of absurdism that effectively question human superiority.
    Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • These proud franchises are expected to head a two-team race for NFC East superiority.
    Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a reason for that; Canadian arenas have superior sightlines for cameras that deliver those moving images through the videoscope.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The Pura 80 Ultra features a large 1-inch sensor, variable aperture, and dual-periscope zoom system, delivering superior image quality.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Stories of haughty people scheming and plucky servants improving alarm clocks attract smaller audiences than, say, trench warfare.
    Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The haughty mother of Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) feigns surprise that Mrs. Scott and her daughter, Peggy (Denée Brown), are still attending the ball.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The interiors of the primary dwelling are adorned throughout with wide-plank oak floors, high wood-beam ceilings, and vintage fixtures.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The problem is that it was filled with Motown music, and the cost for getting that is high.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lordliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordliness. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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