overweening

[ oh-ver-wee-ning ]

adjective

1. presumptuously conceited, overconfident, or proud:

   a brash, insolent, overweening fellow.

2. exaggerated, excessive, or arrogant:

   overweening prejudice; overweening pride.

overweening

/ ˌəʊvəˈwiːnɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a person) excessively arrogant or presumptuous
2. (of opinions, appetites, etc) excessive; immoderate

Derived Forms

• ˌoverˈweeningness, noun
• ˌoverˈweeningly, adverb

Other Words From

• over·weening·ly adverb
• over·weening·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overweening¹

1300–50; Middle English overwening ( e ) (gerund); overween, -ing ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of overweening¹

C14: over- + weening, from Old English wēnan: see ween

Example Sentences

The single-actor format and clever use of camerawork give visual expression to the novel’s themes of overweening egotism and existential dread.

From New York Times

I have long sided unreservedly with Truman on the issue — not so much on principle, I must admit, as because of MacArthur’s overweening, self-aggrandizing arrogance.

From Salon

It’s as if their mother’s overweening nature couldn’t be defeated; it could only be eclipsed.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the overweening arrogance in the face of all these blunders is baffling.

From Salon

Just as the hubris of headstrong shipbuilders who insisted that the Titanic was unsinkable led to an unparalleled maritime disaster, so Cameron’s overweening pride has come unnecessarily close to capsizing this project.

From Los Angeles Times