cavalier 1 of 2

adjective

ˌka-və-ˈlir How to pronounce cavalier (audio)
Definition of cavaliernext
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinates

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cavalier

2 of 2

noun

as in gentleman
an honorable and courteous man a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War

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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 cavalier
Adjective
And the league seemingly demonstrated its frustration with the increasingly cavalier attitude of players toward the ASG in its proposal to the union about possible participation in the 2028 Olympics. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Later, in a conference room, Pathak and Gupta explained that their seemingly cavalier attitude toward robot welfare was actually motivated by concern for human safety. — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The Nuggets were particularly cavalier with second-rounders in the 2024 offseason, which turned out to be Booth’s last at the helm. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 June 2026 That cavalier treatment must be painful for Putin, who longs to restore his country’s global clout to Soviet levels. — Serge Schmemann, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cavalier
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cavalier
  1. arrogant
  2. gentleman
  3. superior
  4. pompous
Adjective
  • As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Noun
  • The gentleman doing the inspection said my tires were too old.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • What being Southern meant to his father—and the values Duane associates with being a Southern gentleman.
    — Sid Evans, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of gentleman
Adjective
  • The first twist comes when Lucky reveals to a nearby Rand that her superior, Agent Kershaw (Eric Lange), is working for Whittaker, leading to a fight between them that ends with Rand killing Kershaw.
    — Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, the venture still needs a strategic fit capable of creating superior customer value and competitive advantage.
    — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of superior
Adjective
  • Does little Arabella care about going to another stuffy awards dinner with her pompous dad?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
  • Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of pompous

Browse Nearby Words

cavalcades
cavalier
cavaliers
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Cite this Entry

“Cavalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cavalier. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cavalier

Nglish: Translation of cavalier for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cavalier

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