LORDLY Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lordly

adjective

ˈlȯrd-lē

Definition of lordly next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself his lordly attitude toward people who enjoy popular music

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as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature born to great wealth, he has always displayed a lordly generosity toward the less fortunate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.

— Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.

— Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025