OVERQUALIFIED Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

overqualified

adjective

Definition of overqualified

as in skilled

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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 overqualified Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound At this time in 2025, the Dodgers deployed the most overqualified opener of all time. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Others shared similar impressions of a cutthroat job market, in which a glut of overqualified candidates are competing for junior and mid-level software engineering jobs. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 28 May 2026 Social media is rife with frustrated job seekers submitting hundreds of applications with no callbacks and overqualified candidates desperately throwing resumes at entry-level positions. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, overqualified singers like Ravyn Lenae, Mustafa, and Omar Apollo do some of the background vocal riffs that Harlow’s limited range won’t reach. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overqualified

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overqualified

Adjective

Trump’s notoriety for corruption may finally be eclipsing his populist appeal, and even rhetoricians as skilled as Jennings have difficulty making a case for him.

— Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Provincial officials are counting on the project to deliver billions of dollars in investment, highly skilled jobs and a market for surplus wind power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of skilled

Adjective

Olaolu Aganga, head of portfolio construction and analytics at Citi Wealth, said hedge funds have attracted the strongest recent interest among qualified clients, who are seeking returns less dependent on the direction of equity markets.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Nov. 2026
The $750 million ceiling will likely be reached this year, but that’s no guarantee there will be enough qualified productions to fill the gap to a billion.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of qualified

Adjective

Miami, which isn’ t adept at game-winning situations, isn’t yet ready to win this type of game.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
As riot police have adapted their tactics and weapons, demonstrators have become adept at anticipating police maneuvers and exploiting gaps in security.

— Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of adept

Adjective

Meanwhile, the percentage of English language learners who were proficient in science, also as measured by the ACT, went up by more than 4 percentage points.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Organizations need periods when employees can become proficient with new systems, develop confidence in unfamiliar procedures and actually experience the benefits of changes already introduced.

— Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of proficient

Adjective

Humans can safely eat them too — be careful and only with the guidance of an experienced forager who eats the first one.

— Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
There are plenty of experienced Latino leaders ready to serve in the Cabinet, as chiefs of staff, and in positions shaping budgets and policy.

— Jose M. Muñoz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of experienced

Adjective

The partnership’s goal is a nimble, creative and competent federal government that addresses the complex needs of the nation.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Palm Beach voters also wisely re-elected several competent state lawmakers and flipped two seats from Republican to Democrat.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of competent

Adjective

Rather than taking advantage of the expert's knowledge, agents tended to compromise between expert and non-expert opinions.

— Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026
Watson reminded the jury that Martin was paid by the defense team for his testimony and that his expert opinion was given without the benefit of the cell phone data police relied on.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of expert

Browse Nearby Words

overprotective

overqualified

overran

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“Overqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overqualified. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of overqualified

adjective

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