BOSSINESS Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

bossiness

noun

Definition of bossiness

as in arrogance

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 bossiness The endless bossiness of government in California is a big problem. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bossiness

Noun

An America that seeks justice with dignity and wisdom, not arrogance and gore.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
These fascinating, illuminating episodes raise the question of whether great fiction requires the kind of single-mindedness and even arrogance that McCarthy cultivated.

— New York Times, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogance

Noun

Moreno operated with an imperiousness toward both low-level employees and influential stakeholders.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
There’s something touching about her imperiousness, a regal vulnerability that shines through even in her romantic interaction with Dussie Mae (CJ Obilom), whom Levee has his predatory eye on.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of imperiousness

Noun

The haughtiness and audacity of RHONY set a precedent for future cities, making the infamous season nine Gangster Lunch an obvious scene to recreate.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Sarah and Billo were plain-sailing people who didn’t pursue beauty or seek out texture, whereas Fanny was an exquisite snob without the circumstances to support such haughtiness.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of haughtiness

Noun

Von Dohlen, for his part, criticized 28 years of Democratic dominance on the five-member Commissioners Court, blaming county leadership for billions of dollars in debt.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Dior‘s dominance in the brand ranking was largely thanks to its creative director Jonathan Anderson, whose name appeared in 65 percent of Dior’s AI mentions, with 37 percent of those mentions pointed to a distinct identity for the house.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominance

Noun

This was confirmed by the doctor, who spoke to me with a mix of condescension and curiosity.

— Andrew Lipstein, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Too regularly, though, the students are given so little life beyond their identities that the distinction between Ayad’s condescension and the novel’s becomes difficult to sustain.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of condescension

Browse Nearby Words

bosses (around)

bossiness

bossing

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bossiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bossiness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bossiness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes