LORDLY Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'lordly' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lordly are arrogant , disdainful , haughty , insolent , overbearing , proud , and supercilious . While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power. // a lordly condescension

Q: When is 'arrogant' a more appropriate choice than 'lordly'?

The synonyms arrogant and lordly are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. // a conceited and arrogant executive

Q: When could 'disdainful' be used to replace 'lordly'?

The words disdainful and lordly can be used in similar contexts, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. // disdainful of their social inferiors

Q: In what contexts can 'haughty' take the place of 'lordly'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lordly , haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position. // a haughty aristocrat

Q: When can 'insolent' be used instead of 'lordly'?

In some situations, the words insolent and lordly are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness. // ignored by an insolent waiter

Q: When might 'overbearing' be a better fit than 'lordly'?

While the synonyms overbearing and lordly are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence. // an overbearing supervisor

Q: Where would 'proud' be a reasonable alternative to 'lordly'?

The meanings of proud and lordly largely overlap; however, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness. // too proud to take charity

Q: When would 'supercilious' be a good substitute for 'lordly'?

The words supercilious and lordly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness. // an aloof and supercilious manner

lordly

adjective

ˈlȯrd-lē

Definition of lordly

as in arrogant

having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude one dinner guest was a little lordly about her status as a vegetarian, even asking the other diners how they could bear to eat dead animals

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proud

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself his lordly attitude toward people who enjoy popular music

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature born to great wealth, he has always displayed a lordly generosity toward the less fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lordly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lordly are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

When is arrogant a more appropriate choice than lordly?

The synonyms arrogant and lordly are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When could disdainful be used to replace lordly?

The words disdainful and lordly can be used in similar contexts, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

In what contexts can haughty take the place of lordly?

While in some cases nearly identical to lordly, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When can insolent be used instead of lordly?

In some situations, the words insolent and lordly are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When might overbearing be a better fit than lordly?

While the synonyms overbearing and lordly are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to lordly?

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

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for lordly?

The words supercilious and lordly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 lordly But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all. — Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024 The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit. — Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 The portrait of Markram that ultimately emerges is of a lordly sovereign stalking the halls of an island mansion, an autumn of the scientific patriarch. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2022 What comes next is a showdown between her force and his financial clout, between labor and the lordly class. — Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 From 1958 to 1961, sulking Giants and Dodgers fans had to put up with the lordly Yankees winning three pennants and two World Series. — New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 The lordly African lion in his zoo grotto will cast a sentimental glance at his shaggy mate. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lordly

Adjective

Each of these decisions laid the groundwork for the war on Iran today, one that started without a clear strategy on the arrogant expectation of a quick victory.

— Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
The data center industry is only one face of an arrogant oligarchy that people believe now runs Congress, the courts, the White House, state legislatures and local governments.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Turns out America’s enthusiasm for itself has gone into a bit of a rut—more than 80% of Americans felt proud in 2010, but only 53% feel that way today.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
The New York Film Festival is proud to welcome back Cinephile for our fifth year of NYFF Trivia Night events during the festival at the EBM Amphitheater!

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

At least that bad-optics outburst, while insubordinate, had something noble at its basis.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Villa Celimontana dates to the 16th century, when it was developed as a noble residence on Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills of ancient Rome.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Hermetically sealed tableaux of haughty models daring you to look away from their perfection.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
All of those have sometimes been used to paint Rodgers in a certain way – usually as aloof or haughty in articles that typically were unflattering.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of haughty

Adjective

This isn’t unusual for the agency; in April, USPS raised prices by 8% due to higher fuel costs.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning that applies to more than 1 million people in San Diego County, mostly across inland valleys, foothills and mountains where high temperatures will approach or exceed 95 to 114 degrees.

— Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

Perhaps most viscerally, given the ever-present specter of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War, Capps was appalled by Falwell’s apocalyptic rhetoric and cavalier posture toward global destruction.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
What comes off as cavalier risk-taking is really a cover for something much more nihilistic.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cavalier

Adjective

But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of great

Adjective

Parton’s ability to become the harasser without falling into some version of male drag makes this short sequence far superior to the many films with a similar premise that followed.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
With Hoecht looking like a certainty to be healthy enough for Week 1, Danna may be on the outside looking in, as Solomon is the superior special teams player.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of superior

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“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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