overweening
Smugly self-important
Overweening describes excessive pride, confidence, or ambition—the kind that overreaches and invites downfall.
An overweening sense of superiority blinds someone to their flaws.
Overweening ambition grasps for more than is reasonable.
The word carries a literary, almost archaic flavor, suggesting hubris in the classical sense: His overweening confidence proved his undoing.
Affectedly grand in manner
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- vainExcessively proud or futile
self-important · smug · presumptuous · snobbish · lofty · contemptuous · disdainful · overconfident
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
- presumptionBelief held without proof
audacity · narcissism · grandiosity · vainglory · self-aggrandizement · arrogance · overestimation · pretension
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- dictatorialImposing absolute control
imperious · bossy · controlling · despotic · heavy-handed · high-handed · oppressive · autocratic
Beyond reasonable bounds
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
- unrestrainedNot held back
- inordinateExceeding proper limits
- exorbitantUnreasonably high, as costs
disproportionate · undue · unwarranted · intemperate · unbridled · unchecked · outsized · overreaching
pompous
Affectedly grand in manner
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
vain · self-important · smug · presumptuous · snobbish · lofty · contemptuous · disdainful · overconfident · boastful
pride
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
- hubrisRuinous excessive confidence
presumption · audacity · narcissism · grandiosity · vainglory · self-aggrandizement · arrogance · overestimation · pretension · self-glorification
overbearing
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
dictatorial · imperious · bossy · controlling · despotic · heavy-handed · high-handed · oppressive · autocratic · tyrannical
immoderate
Beyond reasonable bounds
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
- unrestrainedNot held back
- inordinateExceeding proper limits
exorbitant · disproportionate · undue · unwarranted · intemperate · unbridled · unchecked · outsized · overreaching · unmeasured
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
overweeninghumble
Unassuming about oneself
modest · meek · unassuming · unpretentious · self-effacing
overweeningreasonable
Showing sound judgment
realistic · restrained · measured · moderate · proportionate
overweeningtimid
Lacking courage or confidence
retiring · unassertive · shy · reserved · restrained