Overweening
adjective
Being too confident or proud in an optimistic way.
His overweening belief in his own abilities led to his downfall.
Often appears as...
- overweening pride
- overweening ambition
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Excessively or unpleasantly eager to show off knowledge or learning.
The scholar's overweening pedantry made the lecture unbearable for most.
Often appears as...
- overweening pedantry
- overweening conceit
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Being too confident or proud in an optimistic way.
His overweening belief in his own abilities led to his downfall.
Often appears as...
- overweening pride
- overweening ambition
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Excessively or unpleasantly eager to show off knowledge or learning.
The scholar's overweening pedantry made the lecture unbearable for most.
Often appears as...
- overweening pedantry
- overweening conceit
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Understand 'overweening' carries a negative tone, implying excessive self-assurance.
Her overweening confidence blinded her to the advice of her friends.
Pro Tip 2/3Likely Outcomes
'Overweening' often precedes negative results due to excessive pride or ambition.
The startup's overweening ambition led to hasty decisions and failure.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtly Critical
Use 'overweening' for subtly criticizing someone's excessive pride without using harsh words.
The chef's overweening belief in his untested recipe was a recipe for disaster.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Understand 'overweening' carries a negative tone, implying excessive self-assurance.
Her overweening confidence blinded her to the advice of her friends.
Pro Tip 2/3Likely Outcomes
'Overweening' often precedes negative results due to excessive pride or ambition.
The startup's overweening ambition led to hasty decisions and failure.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtly Critical
Use 'overweening' for subtly criticizing someone's excessive pride without using harsh words.
The chef's overweening belief in his untested recipe was a recipe for disaster.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Understand 'overweening' carries a negative tone, implying excessive self-assurance.
Her overweening confidence blinded her to the advice of her friends.
Pro Tip 2/3Likely Outcomes
'Overweening' often precedes negative results due to excessive pride or ambition.
The startup's overweening ambition led to hasty decisions and failure.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtly Critical
Use 'overweening' for subtly criticizing someone's excessive pride without using harsh words.
The chef's overweening belief in his untested recipe was a recipe for disaster.
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Video examples
How health workers are...
I do I have overweening love for you and gratitude but everything that you're doing and I have some questions too so one is someone has five and ninety five masks they want to donate them but they're not quite sure how to do that how how can how can they help how can
Video examples
How health workers are...
I do I have overweening love for you and gratitude but everything that you're doing and I have some questions too so one is someone has five and ninety five masks they want to donate them but they're not quite sure how to do that how how can how can they help how can
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Jeffrey Kluger
American Writer
When you're your parents' one shot at a genetic legacy, you may get to attend all the best schools, wear all the best clothes and eat all the best foods - at least relative to children in multiple-sibling households. But you also wind up with an overweening sense of your own importance.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
The only thing wrong with the NBA - or any other professional sport, for that matter - is a wild epidemic of Dumbness and overweening Greed. There is no Mystery about it, and no need to change any rules.
Quote examples
Charles Kennedy
British Politician
As a Scot, representing a Scottish constituency for almost the past 25 years, I do not harbour an overweening ambition to pronounce on each and every matter exclusively English.
Quote examples
Jacob Weisberg
American Journalist
Where Reagan channeled disenchantment with overweening government, Obama symbolized America's transformation into a multiracial country.
Quote examples
Jeffrey Kluger
American Writer
When you're your parents' one shot at a genetic legacy, you may get to attend all the best schools, wear all the best clothes and eat all the best foods - at least relative to children in multiple-sibling households. But you also wind up with an overweening sense of your own importance.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
The only thing wrong with the NBA - or any other professional sport, for that matter - is a wild epidemic of Dumbness and overweening Greed. There is no Mystery about it, and no need to change any rules.
Quote examples
Charles Kennedy
British Politician
As a Scot, representing a Scottish constituency for almost the past 25 years, I do not harbour an overweening ambition to pronounce on each and every matter exclusively English.
Quote examples
Jacob Weisberg
American Journalist
Where Reagan channeled disenchantment with overweening government, Obama symbolized America's transformation into a multiracial country.
Example 1 of 4
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