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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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

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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

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

Adjective

The proud mom shared pictures of her and Green cuddling their little one in the hospital room, concealing the newborn’s face in the snaps.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Glasner is aware of Forest’s proud record of having an academy product in every matchday squad since 1941.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

The historic home, situated between Via Rodari and Piazza Roma, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries and takes its name from a noble clan that included Pope Innocent XI, head of the Catholic Church in the late 1600s.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Next weekend’s slate of new releases looks a lot like this week’s leaderboards — a ton of bright contenders who will engage in a noble, if doomed effort to topple the reigning kings.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

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

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

Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of smug

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“Lordly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lordly. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lordly

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