uppity

adjective

ˈə-pə-tē How to pronounce uppity (audio)
Definition of uppitynext
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude uppity social climbers who were the biggest snobs in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 uppity Steve Fields serves lobster tails and filet mignon, but its proprietor likes to think of the restaurant as D-FW’s affordable steakhouse — a place that isn’t too uppity. — Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2022 There were some in the UK, and even on this side of the pond, who wanted the queen to assert her authority and slap down her presumptuous grandson and his uppity wife. — Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2020 So was the mayor of Tomsk, his fate a warning to uppity regional politicians. — The Economist, 21 Dec. 2019 The John Wayne machismo attitude of Cliff (Brad Pitt), an aging stuntman who defeats the arrogant, uppity Chinese guy harks back to the very stereotypes Bruce was trying to dismantle. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2019 See All Example Sentences for uppity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uppity
arrogant
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

Browse Nearby Words

uppishly
uppity
upraise
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Cite this Entry

“Uppity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uppity. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on uppity

Nglish: Translation of uppity for Spanish Speakers

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