1
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a director who has little patience for overweening actors who think they are above taking advice and criticism
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
overweening desire for wealth and fame
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
an overweening administrator who simply doesn't know how to manage people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in inflated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
an overweening national pride that prompted its citizens to denigrate other countries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overweening
But there’s something dingy and gross, like mottled drifts of old snow, about the overweening influence of Trump’s courtiers and their grubbing relationship with a president so obviously enamored of money and flattery.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
The Institute, conceived as a massive block of blue-gray concrete with a smokestack-like tower and a series of sepulchre-like chambers, is an overweening symbol of … what?
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
The beat is Opium-level rage, but a techno track slips in early like the cross-channel bleed of an overweening radio station.
—Pitchfork, 2 Dec. 2024
If his government does not manage to do so, Modi’s desire to play a greater role in the international system will be confounded by China’s overweening presence, both at the border and within India.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
The Institute, conceived as a massive block of blue-gray concrete with a smokestack-like tower and a series of sepulchre-like chambers, is an overweening symbol of … what?
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
The beat is Opium-level rage, but a techno track slips in early like the cross-channel bleed of an overweening radio station.
—Pitchfork, 2 Dec. 2024
If his government does not manage to do so, Modi’s desire to play a greater role in the international system will be confounded by China’s overweening presence, both at the border and within India.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
-
Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
There’s the divorced couple maintaining their relationship for their children; the happy and occasionally smug monogamist; the man who prefers not to commit; the woman who can’t decide.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Botox effectively treats hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerve signals responsible for excessive sweating.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2025
-
Alcohol and excessive speed were suspected of being involved in the crash, and charges are pending, but not expected to be filed for several weeks.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
-
Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.—
Amanda Chicago Lewis,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the 1999-00 season, 10 players listed at 5-foot-11 or shorter played significant time, collectively accounting for 3% of all NBA minutes, despite the inflated height measurements back then.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
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Even with the burden of tariffs dropping slightly from the inflated levels suggested by some, the impact on the iPhone and the Galaxy audiences will be significant.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
At Ferrara, which has a long, proud history of making candy in Chicago, the business outlook is still positive, according to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
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They were thanked for coming by loyal Canadians, clearly proud of their head of state.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
As shocking and extreme as this season was, all paths led here.—
Jennifer Adams,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
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People who are staying with family members without a lease agreement, or who have inherited property informally, have long struggled to get federal help rebuilding after extreme weather, despite the fact that such families are less likely to have home insurance.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
The artwork is silly and exaggerated to capture youngsters’ attention.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
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Uber Technologies Woods named Uber his favorite long-term stock, and said any notion that Tesla could pose a competitive threat to the ride sharing company is exaggerated.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Sid Justice, though competent in other matches, is given few opportunities to prove himself as a rising star against the notoriously egotistical Hogan.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
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And for any fan of the show — and Wilson’s over-the-top, egotistical Dwight — the lyrics might not be a total surprise.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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