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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude one dinner guest was a little lordly about her status as a vegetarian, even asking the other diners how they could bear to eat dead animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lordly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lordly are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is arrogant a more appropriate choice than lordly?

The synonyms arrogant and lordly are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When could disdainful be used to replace lordly?

The words disdainful and lordly can be used in similar contexts, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

In what contexts can haughty take the place of lordly?

While in some cases nearly identical to lordly, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When can insolent be used instead of lordly?

In some situations, the words insolent and lordly are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When might overbearing be a better fit than lordly?

While the synonyms overbearing and lordly are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to lordly?

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

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for lordly?

The words supercilious and lordly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lordly But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all. Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024 The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit. Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 Kings filled these cities with lordly stone monuments called stelae and pyramids of gray stone. Will Hunt, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2014 What comes next is a showdown between her force and his financial clout, between labor and the lordly class. Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 The portrait of Markram that ultimately emerges is of a lordly sovereign stalking the halls of an island mansion, an autumn of the scientific patriarch. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2022 From 1958 to 1961, sulking Giants and Dodgers fans had to put up with the lordly Yankees winning three pennants and two World Series. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 The lordly African lion in his zoo grotto will cast a sentimental glance at his shaggy mate. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2022 The latest entry in the MCU picked up $90.7 million internationally, which pushes its global total to a lordly $161.7 million. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly
Adjective
  • So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
  • One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The museum's very name beautifully encapsulates its noble mission of bridging the rich tapestry of Bali's past, its vibrant present and the promising horizons of its future.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • What a shame that the modern historical record fails to support such a noble impulse...
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, comparative studies have found that alternatives like pumpkin seed oil and linoleic acid offer superior hydration.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight is superior to others in many ways.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But there are various risks associated with them if consumed in high levels or consistently.
    Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025
  • More than 20 years ago, when the Tlingit residents of Hoonah in coastal Alaska decided to build a cruise port on native land, the stakes were high.
    Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Today, despite a cavalier public attitude toward the disease, AIDS causes over 630,000 deaths globally.
    Powel H. Kazanjian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
  • But after this rush of cavalier soldiering and bitter sarcasm comes a sobering moment.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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