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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overweening
Instead, the grande dame of hospitality was replaced by an overweening, obscenely tall, utterly out of place, speculative supertall skyscraper: the Empire State Building.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
But an overweening chorus of voices—from legislators, media, and civilian organizations—declared that, unlike white citizens of German and Italian descent, danger lurked in Japanese American bodies.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2025
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
Iraqi nationalism is the ultimate hedge against Iran’s overweening ambitions; no Iraqi wishes for his or her country to become a pawn of Iran.
—Linda S. Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 July 2025
But an overweening chorus of voices—from legislators, media, and civilian organizations—declared that, unlike white citizens of German and Italian descent, danger lurked in Japanese American bodies.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2025
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
Iraqi nationalism is the ultimate hedge against Iran’s overweening ambitions; no Iraqi wishes for his or her country to become a pawn of Iran.
—Linda S. Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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Woods kept everyone guessing — a favorite hobby of his — with one word and a smug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
It was ruled a Flagrant 1 excessive foul, but not a dangerous Flagrant 2 foul, so Jamerson was not ejected from the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Taking vitamin D alongside a multivitamin is generally safe for most people, but understanding dosing, absorption, and potential risks is important to avoid excessive intake.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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State officials are asking lawmakers to craft a bill that would allow the Department of Social Services to limit Medicaid payments for unionized nursing homes whose owners hire family members at inflated salaries.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
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Those inflated costs fall squarely on the shoulders of small businesses and working families through higher premiums and lower take-home pay.—
Bianca Blomquist,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Trump then reissued congratulations and reiterated how proud the team should be of themselves about the victory.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
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The vibe was loud and proud, and rightfully so.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Because the engine can be controlled during flight, the system does not require the expensive thermal protection systems typically associated with extreme heat loads at hypersonic speeds.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
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The Northeast is reeling from extreme snowfall and powerful winds that slammed the region overnight Sunday and throughout the day Monday, prompting blizzard conditions as more than two feet of snow blanketed several states.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There is always this weird, uncomfortable hierarchical relationship, where the journalist might feel superior, or the subject feels that way.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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And one way to try to defend your inferior offer is to try to attack ours, instead of just making a superior offer yourself.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Oftentimes, a trench coat is the outfit, so picking one with standout detailing, like exaggerated lapels or a chic waist belt, is always a smart move.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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Some critics claim the author has made exaggerated claims in the past about tech, but that is beside the point.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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