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
There's an officious young secretary, Ms. McCormack (Laurie Veldheer), to keep reminding him of that, but the thrust and parry of the fast-dancing dialogue is between Sam (huffy, preoccupied) and Karen (tizzying, agitated, eager to please).
—
Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 1 Apr. 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
At his side is the officious Bev Keane (a chilling Samantha Sloyan, from Hill House), the prototypical timeless, ageless, practically bloodless church lady, dressed like an overgrown Girl Scout and always judging, scolding, guilting.
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Sep. 2021
On their first day, the resort manager (Gustaf Hammarsten) recommends an isolated beach and arranges for the family to be driven there along with a few other tourists, including an officious doctor (Rufus Sewell) and his family.
—BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for officious
Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 1 Apr. 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
At his side is the officious Bev Keane (a chilling Samantha Sloyan, from Hill House), the prototypical timeless, ageless, practically bloodless church lady, dressed like an overgrown Girl Scout and always judging, scolding, guilting.
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Sep. 2021
On their first day, the resort manager (Gustaf Hammarsten) recommends an isolated beach and arranges for the family to be driven there along with a few other tourists, including an officious doctor (Rufus Sewell) and his family.
—BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
Adjective
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For him, a slow summer simply means lazy days and not being busy, just enjoying the summer.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
16 June 2025
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Volunteer security personnel helped gather people back to the sidewalks and helped pedestrians cross busy intersections.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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For America to retain our status as the hub of the financial world, global investors need to know that dollars invested in U.S. financial institutions will not be subject to intrusive government regulation and taxation, and that their financial privacy will be protected.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
19 June 2025
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This precision timing enhances conversion rates and improves the customer experience, making interactions feel serendipitous rather than intrusive.—
Maria Youth,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 June 2025
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Also on deck for Lionsgate are Good Fortune starring Keanu Reeves as a meddlesome angel along with Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansar and Hunger Games helmer Francis Lawrence’s Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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In February, commissioners tabled a vote on the rezoning to give the builder time to revamp its plans after neighbors complained the development would be too obtrusive.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2025
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Standing along the back wall in the Philadelphia Flyers dressing room after the game, surrounded by reporters with their obtrusive cellphone recorders just inches from his face and television cameras with their lights turned up brighter than necessary, Brink subtly, but noticeably, trembles.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Unfortunately, everything else in this misadventure, from annoying love interests to cloying sidekicks, is a minecart going off the rails.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
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And the positivity surrounding it is annoying, including my own.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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