Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Excessively arrogant or self-confident: Characterized by an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, abilities, or worth, often to the point of being presumptuous.
   • Unrestrained or excessive: Lacking restraint, especially in regard to feelings, ambitions, or desires; immoderate or extravagant.

Usage

The word "overweening" is a formal and literary adjective used to describe a person's attitude or a quality that is extreme and lacking in proper limits. It is almost always used in a negative, critical sense.

Examples

• Describing arrogance:
  • His overweening pride made it difficult for him to accept advice from anyone.
  • The manager's overweening confidence in his flawed plan led to the project's failure.
• Describing excessive qualities:
  • She was driven by an overweening ambition to become CEO before the age of thirty.
  • The dictator's overweening greed knew no bounds.

Advanced Usage

• "Overweening" is often used in critiques of character, power, or ambition. It implies a hubris that is likely to lead to a downfall.
  • The tragedy of the character stems from his overweening arrogance.
• It can modify abstract nouns like "pride," "ambition," "confidence," "arrogance," and "greed."

Variants and Related Words

• Overweeningly (adverb): In an overweening manner.
  • He overweeningly assumed the deal was already his.

Synonyms

• Arrogant
• Presumptuous
• Hubristic
• Conceited
• Immoderate
• Excessive

Antonyms

• Humble
• Modest
• Unassuming
• Restrained

Idioms and Phrases

While "overweening" itself is not commonly part of idioms, it describes the central flaw in the concept of hubris, a common theme in literature where excessive pride leads to nemesis.

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