haughty

adjective

ˈhȯ-tē How to pronounce haughty (audio)
Definition of haughtynext
1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the haughty waiter smirked when I remarked that it was odd that a French restaurant didn't even have french fries on the menu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself the student reporter received a haughty letter in reply to his request for an interview with the governor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective haughty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of haughty are arrogant, disdainful, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

In what contexts can arrogant take the place of haughty?

The words arrogant and haughty can be used in similar contexts, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When might disdainful be a better fit than haughty?

In some situations, the words disdainful and haughty are roughly equivalent. However, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When could insolent be used to replace haughty?

While the synonyms insolent and haughty are close in meaning, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

Where would lordly be a reasonable alternative to haughty?

While in some cases nearly identical to haughty, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When would overbearing be a good substitute for haughty?

Although the words overbearing and haughty have much in common, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When can proud be used instead of haughty?

The meanings of proud and haughty largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is supercilious a more appropriate choice than haughty?

The synonyms supercilious and haughty are sometimes interchangeable, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of haughty As the daughter of the haughty Chodron de Courcel and Brondeau d’Urtières families, Bernadette never lacks confidence. —Armond White, National Review, 23 Apr. 2025 Schwarzenegger stars as the haughty, sleazy eldest son of a wealthy family whose patriarch and matriarch are portrayed by Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey, respectively. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025 Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025 The confident and haughty Onegin kills his friend in the duel and flees to travel the world to ruminate. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for haughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haughty
  1. arrogant
  2. proud
  3. disdainful
  4. cavalier
  5. smug
  6. prideful
Adjective
  • Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.
    — Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.
    — Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • At Ferrara, which has a long, proud history of making candy in Chicago, the business outlook is still positive, according to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • They were thanked for coming by loyal Canadians, clearly proud of their head of state.
    — Simon Perry, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Wise minds inside the Trump administration will hopefully choose to drop a suit first introduced during by a Biden administration reflexively disdainful of big.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Now, with Donald J. Trump installed in the White House, Mr. Zelensky is facing a new challenge: maintaining good relations with the country’s most critical ally and a president who has been disdainful toward him and skeptical of military aid.
    — Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Definition of disdainful
Adjective
  • Meet my very good boys (pictured): Scooter is a nine-year-old cavapoo (cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle mix).
    — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
  • But economists warn that Americans would be losing clear benefits if the government was too cavalier about the dollar’s shedding its special status.
    — Colby Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of cavalier
Adjective
  • Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • There’s the divorced couple maintaining their relationship for their children; the happy and occasionally smug monogamist; the man who prefers not to commit; the woman who can’t decide.
    — Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Definition of smug
Adjective
  • Ego Alley is a narrow waterway, bounded by shops, where prideful boat owners show off their pricey vessels by slowly navigating past onlookers enjoying ice cream, drinks or just some afternoon sun.
    — Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Employees tend to react negatively when engaging with prideful leaders, and feeling ignored can impact loyalty, engagement and productivity.
    — Richard Polak, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Definition of prideful

Browse Nearby Words

haughtiness
haughty
haul
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“Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haughty. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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