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
The overweening, violent farmer Xan Xanta and his mentally disabled younger brother Loren wanted to sell their land.
—
Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
Trump’s pushback against overweening Chinese influence in the canal is a welcome revival and application of the Monroe Doctrine, formulated by James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, which seeks to keep the Western Hemisphere free from imperial powers outside it.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
But there’s something dingy and gross, like mottled drifts of old snow, about the overweening influence of Trump’s courtiers and their grubbing relationship with a president so obviously enamored of money and flattery.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
The Institute, conceived as a massive block of blue-gray concrete with a smokestack-like tower and a series of sepulchre-like chambers, is an overweening symbol of … what?
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
Trump’s pushback against overweening Chinese influence in the canal is a welcome revival and application of the Monroe Doctrine, formulated by James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, which seeks to keep the Western Hemisphere free from imperial powers outside it.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
But there’s something dingy and gross, like mottled drifts of old snow, about the overweening influence of Trump’s courtiers and their grubbing relationship with a president so obviously enamored of money and flattery.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
The Institute, conceived as a massive block of blue-gray concrete with a smokestack-like tower and a series of sepulchre-like chambers, is an overweening symbol of … what?
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overweening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overweening
Adjective
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And no scripture condones the smug enjoyment of it.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
30 July 2025
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For those still on Windows 10 who might be feeling rather smug at avoiding these Windows 11 issues, Windows Latest has just issued a new warning, given that its own recent updates are not faring any better.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Whether your hair is naturally dry or parched from excessive color treatments and heat styling, brittle strands are a stubborn bummer.—
Annie Blackman,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
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The weather service predicts that parts of Maryland remain at risk for excessive rainfall and the potential for flash floods.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
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In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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This vendor lock-in creates a dependency that can lead to inflated prices, limited feature sets and a slower pace of innovation.—
Rajat Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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The fish then, choking on the convenient snack, would have attempted to push the belemnite tissue out through the gills, while the inflated phragmocone remained in the mouth cavity, suffocating the animal in the process.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Pursuing a relationship in order to feel proud of oneself, more competent or even validated.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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But that policy can also backfire – in part because many regions, such as Marathi-speaking Maharashtra in the west – are staunchly proud of their local language.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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This surge in extreme heat drives up energy demand and poses serious health risks to vulnerable populations.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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The Phoenix Police Department revised its policy in February 2025 to consider extreme heat when detaining people.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Israel says its forces have only fired warning shots and that the death toll is exaggerated.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
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Teenage emotions are unpredictable and often exaggerated, so the end of a boy band who had consumed so much of my mind for so long was devastating.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overweening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overweening. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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