high-handed

[ hahy-han-did ]

/ ˈhaɪˈhæn dɪd /

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See synonyms for: high-handed / high-handedness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

condescending or presumptuous; overbearing; arbitrary: He has a highhanded manner.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of high-handed

First recorded in 1625–35

OTHER WORDS FROM high-handed

high-hand·ed·ly, adverbhigh-hand·ed·ness, noun

Words nearby high-handed

high-functioning, high gear, High German, high-grade, high ground, high-handed, high hat, high-hat cymbals, high heels, highhole, High Holidays

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use high-handed in a sentence

Even supporters admit the way Anderson has introduced the plan has been high-handed.
The Leak of a Mysterious Video Could Change the Outcome of Newark’s Mayor’s Race|Charles Upton Sahm|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the wake of increasingly high-handed bans, taxes, and regulations, smoking is everywhere in retreat.
Ban E-Cigarettes? The Anti-Smoking Lobby's Clueless Crusade|Nick Gillespie|August 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In contrast to the abrasive and high-handed Zakir, Ibrahim is an admired figure among the insurgents.
Pakistan Frees Wave of Taliban Prisoners|Ron Moreau|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And I remember the high-handed behavior of the Obama White House in 2009.
Swing Voter Desperately Seeking Non-Polarizing Presidential Candidate|David Frum|September 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Lessard's high-handed squelching of MacRae had thrown everything out of focus.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Universal indignation spread through the colonies against this high handed measure of the British king and parliament.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
We have failed entirely to find any sort of protest against such high-handed proceedings.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
Well, the papers got out an extra edition with scare-heads about "Outrages" and "High-handed Lawlessness!"
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
"You've no right to take such high-handed action," snarled the master of the tug.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock

British Dictionary definitions for high-handed

high-handed

adjective

tactlessly overbearing and inconsiderate

Derived forms of high-handed

high-handedly, adverbhigh-handedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

high-handed

Origin of high-handed

OTHER WORDS FROM high-handed

Words nearby high-handed

Words related to high-handed

How to use high-handed in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for high-handed

Derived forms of high-handed