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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To his critics, Jost’s smug humor felt noticeably anachronistic at a time when the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements were calling for a greater awareness of society’s deep inequalities, and for ostensibly liberal institutions to do better.—
Michael Tedder,
The Atlantic,
17 May 2025
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The series has been characterized by smug antics in defeat.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Manson warns, however, that excessive amounts of vitamin D can lead to a higher calcium level in blood and urine, and some calcification may occur in the blood vessels and in the soft tissue.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
27 May 2025
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The excessive heat watch will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday, May 30, through 11 p.m. Saturday, May 31, according to the National Weather Service.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
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Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.—
Amanda Chicago Lewis,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Netanyahu insists this is necessary to prevent Hamas from looting the aid entering the strip or selling it to people in Gaza at a higher inflated price.—
Helena Skinner,
ABC News,
22 May 2025
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Overly inflated ovations, some with runtimes comparable to a short film, used to be rare on the Croisette.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.—
Chloe Mayer
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
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They were thanked for coming by loyal Canadians, clearly proud of their head of state.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Hazards differ according to geography, but include flooding, wildfires, extreme heat, storm surges, and other severe weather events.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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As a result, military training installations have had to adapt their training schedules to avoid the hottest times of day to mitigate the health risks associated with extreme heat.—
Bella Kubach,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The ensemble was crafted with a form-fitting silhouette and included such exaggerated elements as sharp shoulders.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
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Her ensemble also featured a black floor-length gown with exaggerated shoulders and a turquoise bow belt extending into a floor-grazing sash.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Sid Justice, though competent in other matches, is given few opportunities to prove himself as a rising star against the notoriously egotistical Hogan.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
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And for any fan of the show — and Wilson’s over-the-top, egotistical Dwight — the lyrics might not be a total surprise.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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