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 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 Learning from Jeff Bezos Blackburn, 57, is a little overqualified to be running the Tennis Channel, which generated sales last year of just $265 million. — Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026 Here are her best tips for ‘overqualified’ candidates on how to navigate the job process. — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overqualified

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overqualified

Adjective

Schieffelin, who is listed at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, isn’t the most skilled player on the basketball court.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Over the last decade, China reversed its brain drain, luring thousands of skilled workers back home to help fuel its rise as a technology powerhouse.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of skilled

Adjective

Lopes, the captain of Shamrock Rovers, who won a domestic double last season, qualified for Cape Verde through his father, Carlos, who grew up there.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Small businesses are struggling to hire, with 62% trying to fill positions but 84% unable to find qualified applicants, revealing a significant skills gap.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of qualified

Adjective

Raccoons are more adept at getting into things than cats are, thanks to their paws that are like human hands.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Johnson also proved to be an adept fundraiser, developing strategic plans that resulted in more than 22,000 donors contributing more than $50 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of adept

Adjective

In one enterprise benchmark, only 13% of employees tested as proficient with AI agents before any training.

— Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Norway are not only comfortable in possession and technically proficient, as Odegaard showed towards the end of the Brazil game to Neymar’s frustration, but have physically imposing players in all areas of the pitch.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of proficient

Adjective

After reducing engineering staff and relying more heavily on AI for portions of its design and development work, Ford found that the technology could not consistently match the expertise of experienced engineers.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ+ singles and couples.

— MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of experienced

Adjective

This highly competent, obsessive duo tumbles into a self-destructive cat-and-mouse dynamic — but who’s the cat and who’s the mouse?

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
The burden of this rule will fall heaviest on first-generation and nontraditional students — the exact demographic necessary to build a culturally competent health care workforce.

— David S. Shapiro, STAT, 30 June 2026

Definition of competent

Adjective

By the end of my rave journey, I was comforted by the knowledge that there is a space for people—newcomers, veteran partygoers like Estephani—to discover the joys of dancing among like-minded attendees.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
Will Grier, the veteran signal caller who signed in late April, has decided to retire.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Definition of veteran

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 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overqualified

adjective

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