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

Occupations like air traffic controllers surpass traditional skilled trades in earnings but still require certification or specialized training, a study found.

— Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
Illinois families deserve affordable utility bills and a natural gas system that is safe, reliable and maintained by a skilled workforce.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of skilled

Adjective

The administration charged that some recipients were not real people and others had received subsidies without being qualified for them.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
Productions that film at least half of their days and spend at least $10 million in qualified compensation in 10 or more states also could qualify for an additional uplift.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of qualified

Adjective

In the context of Texas, these differences might not have mattered, since the Jews, like other citizens of the fast-growing state, were adept at absorbing immigrants.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
The man was well known for his tough guy persona and adept skill at roundhouse kicks to the face.

— Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of adept

Adjective

Similar issues prompted a second voluntary settlement four years later, which instructed the state to raise the threshold for a test score to qualify as proficient in English.

— Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2026
About 86% of white students had proficient scores in CMS the last school year, while about 50% of Black students did the same.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of proficient

Adjective

Losing experienced educators means losing years of knowledge, relationships and expertise that cannot simply be replaced with another name on a classroom roster.

— Roberto Fernandez III, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
After a disastrous 3-14 season in 2025, Glenn fired half his coaching staff and brought in experienced assistants, including offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of experienced

Adjective

This is why disconnected freelance production can disappoint even when every individual piece is perfectly competent.

— Andrey Insarov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Lynch was arraigned on murder charges in December, but he was initially found not competent to stand trial and was committed to a New York State Office of Mental Health hospital.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of competent

Adjective

Ye Tianchun, a veteran researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Microelectronics, described the work as an early process route for developing sub-3nm devices.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
So even if a veteran baseball broadcaster is merely pretty good in those aspects, the familiarity, the comfort factor, the association with their team, is enough to endear that broadcaster to his listeners.

— Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of veteran

Adjective

There’s expert work also from Pyle as a careworn law enforcement officer unable to remain indifferent to the taking of another life in the name of the law.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Have a look at our expert roundup of the best Bluetooth headsets.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overqualified

adjective

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