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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of overweening
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.
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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
There are more talented players than ever, and this fact could blunt, just slightly, the power of the overweening stars.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
For those who truly want to reshape Washington’s overweening and militarized foreign policy, the best approach is not to engage in name-calling but to work to replace the existing foreign policy consensus and its disciples with something better.
—Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020
See all Example Sentences for overweening 
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
There are more talented players than ever, and this fact could blunt, just slightly, the power of the overweening stars.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
For those who truly want to reshape Washington’s overweening and militarized foreign policy, the best approach is not to engage in name-calling but to work to replace the existing foreign policy consensus and its disciples with something better.
—Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020
See all Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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João Franco Photo: Bravo/Mark Rogers/Bravo Deckhand/Bosun Below Deck Mediterranean Seasons 3-4 — 2nd Officer/Bosun Below Deck Down Under Season 2 — Why can’t someone knock the smug look off of this deckie turned bosun’s face?Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
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But the second half becomes increasingly generic conspiracy stuff, leading to a two-part conclusion that’s more smug and sanctimonious than the preceding action can justify.Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But aggressive fire suppression and inattention to urban overgrowth have left excessive, easy-to-ignite vegetation in many areas.Justin Angle, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
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Forgiveness for students who saw excessive loan interest after 10 or 20 years would likely no longer be an option.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
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Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Borrowers have been defrauded through tactics such as providing inflated job placement numbers or deceptive recruiting tactics.Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
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This year’s increase would compare with a 0.4% rise in 2024 following drops of 7% and nearly 15% in 2023 and 2022, respectively, from inflated prices during the Covid-19 pandemic.Michael Wayland, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
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The proud dad, 40, and his oldest child made history in October 2024 by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
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Green would likely be proud of the award-winning bottles being produced today.Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
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Be realistic The most uncomfortable truth of the last few days has been how quickly firefighting efforts were overwhelmed and outmatched by the extreme fire conditions, Cohen said.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
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In other words, the atmosphere gets more thirsty as the climate warms, drawing more moisture from plants, and leading to more days with extreme fire weather conditions.Andrew Freedman, Axios, 12 Jan. 2025
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However, the study cautions that claims of enhanced accuracy through advanced computational methods are often exaggerated.Bruce Gil, Quartz, 9 Jan. 2025
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The reports of Andrews’ 2024 demise were greatly exaggerated.Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
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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 Jan. 2025.
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