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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 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 Player for player Atlanta shouldn’t be scaring the lordly Dodgers like this. Ray Glier, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly
Adjective
  • For example, when a man in his sixties talks about the same thing, he’s seen as calm and logical, but when a woman in her twenties talks about it, she’s seen as arrogant or trying to act mature.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 15 May 2025
  • By losing some of its arrogant charm, Doom has also lost the means to back it up.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The narrative continues to evolve, due in no small part to proud descendants of Hiram, James and Wallace.
    Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025
  • Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Which one of her books was turned into a 1995 film directed by Ang Lee, from a script written by Emma Thompson? 2 of 5 What is the name of the series that adapts Julia Quinn’s Regency-era romance novels about eight siblings in a noble family and their adventures in London’s high-society world?
    J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Follows Anton Abildgaard, a noble cavalry officer hoping to complete his military training with distinction.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The list is ranked alphabetically, so Tigers and Jayhawks won’t be able to fight over the superior college town this time.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
  • The result is not only a potential pathway to carbon neutrality but also a cleaner-burning fuel that has already demonstrated superior visible emissions in tests.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • As the daughter of the haughty Chodron de Courcel and Brondeau d’Urtières families, Bernadette never lacks confidence.
    Armond White, National Review, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, home equity loans and lines of credit tend to have high interest rates: in the mid-8% range as of mid-May, according to Bankrate.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Dentists often prescribe fluoride supplements to at-risk children who have high amounts of plaque, don’t regularly see a dentist, or have family members with dental disease.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The experiences suggest why policymakers might not be so cavalier going forward about refinery closures and other manufacturing closures.
    Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The present-day iteration is a lot less cavalier, with gun safety being the organization’s top priority and disqualifications happening even for seemingly minor infractions.
    Calum Marsh Bridget Bennett, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The series has been characterized by smug antics in defeat.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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