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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
The doctrine itself has had all manner of ill effects on the capacity of employers to apply race-neutral or gender-neutral standards of qualification and fitness, and replaced the concept of an equal opportunity employer with the overweening human resources departments that gave us DEI.
—
The Editors, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
The overweening, violent farmer Xan Xanta and his mentally disabled younger brother Loren wanted to sell their land.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
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
To deny Moscow such a dominant position was the overweening objective of all administrations, Democratic or Republican, since World War II.
—Josef Joffe, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for overweening
The Editors, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025
The overweening, violent farmer Xan Xanta and his mentally disabled younger brother Loren wanted to sell their land.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
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
To deny Moscow such a dominant position was the overweening objective of all administrations, Democratic or Republican, since World War II.
—Josef Joffe, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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However, Ralph has a smug attitude when talking to Brad.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The reports obtained by The Post show a barrage of complaints from youth that staff used excessive force during restraints or other physical management responses at the state’s 14 facilities.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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With extended heat exposure comes excessive sweat, so drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes the day before is essential for safe sauna use.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gil, her nemesis, is hot, arrogant and unfortunately extremely kissable.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Global markets were also rattled after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday said that asset prices, including equities, were trading at inflated levels.—
Chloe Taylor,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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The inflated bill was criticized by a local fiscal watchdog organization.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Central Texas has a proud tradition of producing and celebrating flavorful sodas.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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The godfather of modern West Indian fast bowling shakes his head slowly, having been reminded what happened the last time his once proud and near-invincible team played Test cricket.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During the third quarter, Fever star Kelsey Mitchell left the court due to extreme cramping in her lower body.—
Frank Nunns O'Connell,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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But the plan roundly ignores the contributions of climate change to the state's extreme heat problem.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Lila Moss, Devon Lee Carlson and Caro Daur staged a side part comeback with exaggerated interpretations of the controversial style.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
24 Sep. 2025
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Fashion East celebrated their 25th anniversary with exaggerated green eyes at Jacek Gleba’s show.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The makeup and musical artist has yet to reveal if someone else helped formulate the extravagant hairdo.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Turn up the drama by adding feathers to your outfit, or even an extravagant, dazzling head piece.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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