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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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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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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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
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The smug and sanctimonious tenor of their briefing makes that plain.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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In a comedic twist, the Labrador retriever was filmed turning back to his owner during the drive, with a smug look on his face as if to boast about his comfortable spot.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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According to Mock, your professional maid service will not have the proper tools to safely remove excessive mold issues.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Having fresh eggs in the backyard avoids the need to pay inflated egg prices.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
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Her ensemble featured a simple yet striking little black dress with a semi-sheer bodice and a voluminous, inflated hemline, perfectly paired with dainty black mules and matching arm cuffs on both wrists.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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By agreeing on the eventual package of £116m, Hughes and Rolfes were able to shake hands and both feel proud of the outcome.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Diano, a three-time district and regional champion in traditional, was proud to win the FHSAA state championship with his parents in attendance.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Eric Dane is prepared to go to extreme measures to fight ALS.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
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The former teacher is also charged with taking indecent photographs of a child, distributing indecent photographs of a child, possessing indecent pseudo images of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image, the office said.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The reports of the monolithic legal model’s imminent death, to channel Mark Twain, have been greatly exaggerated.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Reports of Boca’s death were exaggerated, however, as their fans have breathed life into this newborn tournament here in Miami.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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The men were very egotistical in this film and no one really showed up.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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In the upcoming film, Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature (Jacob Elordi) to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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