What does "overweening" mean?
An excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s abilities; presumption, arrogance.
Overweening
/oʊvɚˈwinɪŋ/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s abilities; presumption, arrogance.
- Grammar: overweening is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: a bit much, abandoned, arrogance, arrogant.
- Useful contrasts: cautious, defer, downplay.
- Usage evidence: She wins one modeling contest in Montana and suddenly she’s overweening.
How to use "overweening"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "overweening" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "overweening" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "overweening" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "overweening" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "overweening" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a bit much" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "overweening", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s abilities; presumption, arrogance. archaic, countable, uncountable
"Let us suppresse this over-weening [translating cuider], the first foundation of the tyrannie of the wicked spirit[…]."
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of overween form-of, gerund, participle, present
Adjective
- 1 Unduly confident; arrogant.
"She wins one modeling contest in Montana and suddenly she’s overweening."
- 2 Exaggerated, excessive.
"The idea that an overweening federal government is a threat to both freedom and equality (not to mention prosperity) goes back to Jefferson, James Madison, Patrick Henry and some other fairly respectable personages."
Adjective
- 1 presumptuously arrogant wordnet
- 2 unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings wordnet
Example
"She wins one modeling contest in Montana and suddenly she’s overweening."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "overweening"?
Common synonyms include: a bit much, abandoned, arrogance, arrogant, arrogant, assuming.
How do you use "overweening" in a sentence?
She wins one modeling contest in Montana and suddenly she’s overweening.
How do you pronounce "overweening"?
Pronounced /oʊvɚˈwinɪŋ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English overweninge, equivalent to overween + -ing. Cognate with obsolete Dutch overwanig, overwaand (“presumptuous; cocky; conceited”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English overweninge, equivalent to overween + -ing.
Etymology 3
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.