overweening

/,ouvə'wi:niɳ/

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Word: Overweening

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "overweening" describes someone who is excessively confident or arrogant, often to the point of being presumptuous. It can also refer to feelings or behaviors that are unrestrained or excessive, especially in terms of ambition or praise.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "overweening" to describe a person, attitude, or behavior that is overly proud or has an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
• It is often used in a negative context to indicate that someone is acting too boastfully or is overly ambitious.

Examples:

1. His overweening confidence made it hard for others to work with him.
2. The presentation was filled with overweening compliments that felt insincere.
3. She had overweening ambition, always striving for more without considering the consequences.

Advanced Usage:

• "Overweening" can be used in literary contexts or formal discussions where you want to emphasize someone's excessive pride or ambition.
• It may describe not just individuals but also groups, organizations, or ideas that are overly ambitious.

Word Variants:

• Overween (verb): To be excessively confident or proud.
• Overweeningly (adverb): In an overweening manner.

Different Meanings:

While "overweening" primarily refers to arrogance or excessive ambition, it can also apply to feelings that are too intense or extreme, such as overweening praise or affection.

Synonyms:

• Arrogant
• Conceited
• Hubristic
• Haughty
• Egotistical
• Overconfident

Related Idioms:

• Too big for one's britches: Acting arrogantly or assuming more responsibility or importance than one actually has.
• Full of oneself: Being overly self-satisfied or self-important.

Phrasal Verbs:

There are no direct phrasal verbs associated with "overweening," but you can combine it with verbs like "come off as," "seem," or "appear" to create phrases like: - "He comes off as overweening when he talks about his accomplishments."

Summary:

"Overweening" is an adjective that describes excessive arrogance or ambition. It's a word you might use when someone is acting too proud or making grand claims about their abilities or goals.

Academic

Adjective

1. presumptuously arrogant
   • had a witty but overweening manner
   • no idea how overweening he would be- S.V.Benet
   • getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down- NY Times
2. unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
   • extravagant praise
   • exuberant compliments
   • overweening ambition
   • overweening greed

Synonyms

• uppity
• excessive
• extravagant
• exuberant