overweening

American  

[oh-ver-wee-ning] / ˈoʊ vərˈwi nɪŋ /

adjective

1. presumptuously conceited, overconfident, or proud.

   a brash, insolent, overweening fellow.

2. exaggerated, excessive, or arrogant.

   overweening prejudice; overweening pride.

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overweening British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈwiːnɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a person) excessively arrogant or presumptuous

2. (of opinions, appetites, etc) excessive; immoderate

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Other Word Forms

• overweeningly adverb
• overweeningness noun

Etymology

Origin of overweening

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

Explanation

Overweening is a negative term meaning arrogant or excessive. People can be described as having overweening pride or overweening ambition. It's too much and not good. Confidence and pride are okay in moderation. Overweening means having too much of it though so that it overtakes the rest of your personality, and not in a good way. If your football team has won every game of the season, they need to watch that they don't become overweening and start playing games as if they have already won.

Example Sentences

Mr. Sottile’s Johnny exudes a warm bonhomie, embracing Linda and Ned’s smoldering rebelliousness, but also showing sincere affection for Julia, whom Ms. Griggs makes likable despite her overweening ambition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

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 • Dec. 24, 2023

A former restaurant tycoon turned mercenary leader, Prigozhin was done in by some of his most famous traits—brazen imprudence, overweening self-confidence, and blithe gullibility toward his own P.R.

From Slate • Jul. 1, 2023

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 • Jan. 24, 2023

Like his father, a high cleric, 8-Deer was trained for the priesthood, but political events and his own overweening ambition stopped him from following that path.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann