Deferential and Overweening

Opposite meaning words

Deferential adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.

Show all Definitions

Overweening is an antonym for deferential.

Overweening adjective - Having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude.

Usage example: an overweening administrator who simply doesn't know how to manage people

Show all Definitions

Deferential is an antonym for overweening in arrogant topic.

Cite this Source

Overweening and Deferential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/overweening

Deferential & Overweening. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/overweening>.

Overweening or Deferential. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/deferential/overweening.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "deferential" and "overweening" have occurred on timeline