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overweening Definition

over·ween·ing (ō′vər wēn)

adjective

  1. arrogant; excessively proud
  2. exaggerated; excessive

Etymology: ME oferweninge, prp. of oferwenen < OE oferwenan: see over- & ween

overweening Related Forms

o′ver·ween·ingly adverb

overweening Synonyms

overweening

modif.

overweening Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • ambition: The Greeks would call this hubris - righteous revenge from the gods for overweening ambition.
  • power: It was the individual's ultimate protection against the overweening power of the state.
  • pride: Indeed, our overweening pride in our culture gives the lie to any claims we might make to theological modesty.
  • sense: Blair's overweening sense of ethical duty compensated for the absence of public support.
  • arrogance: A mixture of extreme shyness and overweening arrogance, he is an erratic and unforthcoming conversationalist.
  • conceit: Myself, I don't think that New Labor's problem has been overweening conceit, but rather the reverse.

Browse dictionary entries near overweening

  1. overweary
  2. overwear
  3. overwatch
  4. overview
  5. overvalued
  6. overvalue
  7. overuse
  8. overturn
  9. overture
  10. overtrump
  1. overweigh
  2. overweight
  3. overwhelm
  4. overwhelmed
  5. overwhelming
  6. overwind
  7. overwinter
  8. overword
  9. overwork
  10. overworked