as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
an officious little man who was always telling everyone else how to do their jobs
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Recent Examples of officious
Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
—
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Cronenberg, in turn, has maintained a cool contempt for officious pundits and their agendas.
—Adam Nayman, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022
As her avenging brother, Laertes, the tenor David Butt Philip is ardent; as her officious father, Polonius, the tenor William Burden avoids caricature.
—New York Times, 15 May 2022
The soul of this community is local queen bee Sherry Conrad (Search Party alum Shalita Grant, the season’s MVP), an officious, controlling momfluencer with a knack for stealing the spotlight.
—Judy Berman, Time, 17 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for officious
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Cronenberg, in turn, has maintained a cool contempt for officious pundits and their agendas.
—Adam Nayman, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022
As her avenging brother, Laertes, the tenor David Butt Philip is ardent; as her officious father, Polonius, the tenor William Burden avoids caricature.
—New York Times, 15 May 2022
The soul of this community is local queen bee Sherry Conrad (Search Party alum Shalita Grant, the season’s MVP), an officious, controlling momfluencer with a knack for stealing the spotlight.
—Judy Berman, Time, 17 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
Adjective
-
Lucas Giolito had a busy first full day in the Padres organization.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As always, our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, took time out of their busy schedules to answer all our Talladega questions.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The service is considered but not at all intrusive.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
-
For Melton, the experience of watching the show is almost intrusive in its intimacy.—
Ryan Brennan
April 16,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The service Smart, knowledgable, and friendly without being obtrusive.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The big drawback is the fact that the machine is obtrusive, awkward, and decidedly unsexy.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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