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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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
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
And while there’s a variety of technology on the market designed to address this group, to which my partner and I belong, a lot of it seems somewhat overweening—and doesn’t really work.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 July 2024
That gloss overlooked the reality that people with little wealth or power frequently are forced to contend with overweening bureaucrats who invent their own authority and play by their own rules.
—Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 8 July 2024
The Court also brushed back an overweening Environmental Protection Agency rule, in Ohio v. EPA, that ran roughshod over a congressional design to share responsibility for air quality between the EPA and the states.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overweening 
Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
And while there’s a variety of technology on the market designed to address this group, to which my partner and I belong, a lot of it seems somewhat overweening—and doesn’t really work.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 July 2024
That gloss overlooked the reality that people with little wealth or power frequently are forced to contend with overweening bureaucrats who invent their own authority and play by their own rules.
—Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 8 July 2024
The Court also brushed back an overweening Environmental Protection Agency rule, in Ohio v. EPA, that ran roughshod over a congressional design to share responsibility for air quality between the EPA and the states.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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Oliver then suddenly appeared with a smug look on his face.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
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Remember how, in that SNL book, Ferrell represented the hip future of comedy, mocking the smug boomer shtick of a Chevy Chase?—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to Mock, your professional maid service will not have the proper tools to safely remove excessive mold issues.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
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Comedian and actress Amy Schumer announced last year that she was diagnosed with the rare hormonal disorder, Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterized by excessive production of cortisol.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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For too long, Big Pharma has filled the airwaves with tons of commercials to fuel demand for its products while failing to disclose the inflated, ever-increasing price of these medications.—
Dick Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
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While domestic sourcing may not always align with cost structures, exploring local alternatives can mitigate risks of delays and inflated costs.—
Lyric Christian,
Essence,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Er, well, for the dozens of proud Vision Pro owners.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
8 Feb. 2025
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By drawing from his Mexican and Irish American roots, as well as his life as a proud gay man, Chavarria flaunts his progressive principles while creating new and novel experiences on the runway.—
Cat Cardenas,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Both California and Florida, which have always been disaster-prone states, have seen an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events over the past few years.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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In participating in those extreme acts, Saha said, people fall victim to a group psychology that both permits and encourages more extreme behavior.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These are exaggerated, and factually possible, scenarios.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2025
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Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Sophie Thatcher, among other guests, delivered gothic inspiration with their outfits, embracing current red carpet trends such as sheer dressing and exaggerated silhouettes.—
Renan Botelho,
WWD,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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The film, which centers on a group of egotistical actors making a Vietnam War movie, grossed nearly $200 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for supporting actor thanks to Robert Downey Jr.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
26 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overweening
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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