LORDLY Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lordly

adjective

ˈlȯrd-lē

Definition of lordly

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself his lordly attitude toward people who enjoy popular music

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature born to great wealth, he has always displayed a lordly generosity toward the less fortunate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 lordly 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 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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly

Adjective

Using an acronym meant for minor zoning squabbles against resistance to a massive, 80 mph express train slicing through dense residential blocks is an arrogant posture that completely obscures the true nature of this unconscionable project.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Steve Buscemi as Harry’s regular fence; Tatiana Maslany as his estranged daughter; and Will Price as the arrogant, heat-packing scion of a Manhattan crime family also star.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Now, Foxx not only has a new outlook on life, but is a proud dad of three.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Takeshi’s father is a petty and proud man, in ways continually expanded upon throughout the film’s runtime, though how he’s actually framed never truly changes.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

The slight reproach to which the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most likely to incur.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
As a young teenager, I was immediately captivated by his commanding presence and charisma portraying King Leodegrance of Cameliard — Queen Guinevere’s noble father and a cunning warrior.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Piper brings plenty of levity with her glamorous, haughty embodiment of an old showbusiness powerhouse.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
Vying for dominance as well are the haughty, self-serving bureaucrats of the area’s bustling capital of South Wood (Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson), who pull their political strings from the relative safety of the grand Pittock Mansion.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of haughty

Adjective

Attendance is up, teacher pay is at its highest level in district history, and more of our strongest educators are staying in the classroom.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
When elections yield a divided government, with the White House held by one party and at least one chamber of Congress controlled by the other, the S&P 500 has historically posted higher average returns than under unified party control.

— , CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

But Scudder wasn’t feeling so cavalier in the Texas Panhandle, the rural, northernmost part of the state, which is among the most conservative places in the country.

— Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2026
What makes this emptiness more bothersome is the cavalier way Wingard wields the imagery of rogue, militarized killers wreaking havoc on the American landscape.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of cavalier

Adjective

L3Harris claims its design can deliver greater range and speed than existing systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Tarantino revealed the most personally meaningful piece of casting in a film filled with great performances — including supporting turns by multiple actors (Austin Butler, Mikey Madison, Sydney Sweeney) who have blown up in the seven years since.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of great

Adjective

This commitment is far superior to the nebulous promises Amazon made in the past and puts the 12 Pro on even footing with the iPad and even Samsung's Galaxy tablets.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
Verstappen kept the lead, demonstrating the superior power output of the Red Bull power unit, even at altitude, over Ferrari’s.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of superior

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“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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