haughty

adjective

ˈhȯ-tē How to pronounce haughty (audio)
Definition of haughtynext
1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the haughty waiter smirked when I remarked that it was odd that a French restaurant didn't even have french fries on the menu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself the student reporter received a haughty letter in reply to his request for an interview with the governor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective haughty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of haughty are arrogant, disdainful, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

In what contexts can arrogant take the place of haughty?

The words arrogant and haughty can be used in similar contexts, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When might disdainful be a better fit than haughty?

In some situations, the words disdainful and haughty are roughly equivalent. However, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When could insolent be used to replace haughty?

While the synonyms insolent and haughty are close in meaning, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

Where would lordly be a reasonable alternative to haughty?

While in some cases nearly identical to haughty, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When would overbearing be a good substitute for haughty?

Although the words overbearing and haughty have much in common, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When can proud be used instead of haughty?

The meanings of proud and haughty largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is supercilious a more appropriate choice than haughty?

The synonyms supercilious and haughty are sometimes interchangeable, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of haughty Remember the times when United, with all their haughty ambitions, used to look down on the clunky Thursday-Sunday routine of Europe’s second-tier competition? —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Widowed twice, Etheldreda is left to care for her own two children, her haughty stepdaughter, and a peregrine falcon. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025 Michelle DeYoung presides as the haughty mother, her blood-orange dress a streak of color on the monochrome stage. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025 When indifferent and haughty stylist Magno Stift falls ill ahead of the tributes’ big pre-games interview, a young Effie swoops in as makeshift stylist, bringing in clothes that belonged to her great-aunt and great-uncle. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
  1. arrogant
  2. proud
  3. disdainful
  4. cavalier
  5. smug
  6. prideful
Adjective
  • 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
  • In 2022, Ackles joined the cast of Prime Video's The Boys as arrogant superhero Soldier Boy.
    — Brianne Tracy, People.com, 4 July 2025
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • In the post, the proud single mom shared throwback photos of her with her eldest son and daughter.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Old Fitzgerald, the once proud brand with a century-long legacy, was tossed into the Bernheim sale like an extra trading card between kids to sweeten the deal, not to headline it.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Trump has even been disdainful or dismissive of the United States’ traditional allies, such as Mexico and Argentina.
    — Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2017
  • Wise minds inside the Trump administration will hopefully choose to drop a suit first introduced during by a Biden administration reflexively disdainful of big.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of disdainful
Adjective
  • The husband’s cavalier response is also something that needs to be addressed in therapy.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
  • Basset hounds and cavalier King Charles spaniels are a great match for a more chilled lifestyle, according to Smith.
    — Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Definition of cavalier
Adjective
  • In Superman, Bennett steps into the shoes of Steve Lombard, the Daily Planet's smug sports reporter.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 28 June 2025
  • 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
Definition of smug
Adjective
  • The ability to recite an obscure Lloyd Banks verse earned you some prideful grins or, even better, earnest assistance with your performance.
    — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
  • That's what advancing past the Denver Nuggets, a prideful former champion, required.
    — Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Definition of prideful

Browse Nearby Words

haughtiness
haughty
haul
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“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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