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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Trump’s pushback against overweening Chinese influence in the canal is a welcome revival and application of the Monroe Doctrine, formulated by James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, which seeks to keep the Western Hemisphere free from imperial powers outside it.
—
The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for overweening
The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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In Superman, Bennett steps into the shoes of Steve Lombard, the Daily Planet's smug sports reporter.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 June 2025
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One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Missouri’s Felony Murder Statute is overly broad, often misused, and excessive.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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Shifting From Reactive To Proactive Security: Organizations often spend excessive time reacting to rather than preventing threats.—
Bojan Šimić,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Her larger-than-life ego and past as a shaman make Player 044 come off as arrogant and selfish, getting under just about everyone's skin.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
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In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Business leaders relying on inaccurate and inflated carbon calculations may over purchase carbon offsets and be unsure where net zero actually is, and even less sure about how to get there.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Against this backdrop of inflated expectations and deflating results, a more nuanced understanding has emerged from those like LeCun, who've spent decades wrestling with the actual mechanics of intelligent systems.—
Gabriel Snyder,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Our more than 18,000 Bombardier employees are proud to welcome this new, important customer to our family.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Once again, Newsweek is proud to highlight your voices.—
Joshua Sammons,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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While many farmers lean on a relentless optimism to get through the uncertainty of relying on the weather for a living, extreme weather disasters like catastrophic floods, droughts and wildfires can take a toll.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
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Both companies show extreme volatility in bear markets, but Palantir's recovery has been more robust, possibly owing to its growing profitability and improving operational metrics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Skinny brows, an exaggerated cat-eye, and a rich red lip added to the maximalist Parisian glamour.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 July 2025
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Onana, for example, tends to make more exaggerated adjustments before shots — a style that has its benefits but can occasionally lead to mistimed reactions or suboptimal set positions.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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