BOSSY Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

bossy

adjective

ˈbȯ-sē

Definition of bossy

as in domineering

fond of ordering people around I don't want to work with him because he's so bossy and always runs roughshod over me

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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 bossy The Swallows were a pretty dull group of four siblings—Susan was always doing the cooking and discussing the best way to scramble egg, while bossy John was some kind of Tory MP in the making. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Running Furrever Friends is Brandi (Amy Sedaris), a bossy little Shih Tzu, and her owner, Seth (Gil Ozeri). — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 Interactions with friends and groups could get out of hand with high energy that becomes bossy. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026 That conceptual tension has led early users to experience agentic AI as a sort of bossy servant. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bossy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bossy

Adjective

Sources said Gunning plays Annie, a quietly dutiful wife who has sacrificed her ambitions to raise four sons under her domineering husband, Duncan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Fern proves himself as a true actor’s director, offering plum roles to Paulson, Watts and two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest as their chaotic and domineering mother.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of domineering

Adjective

El Sistema was founded decades before Hugo Chavez came to power in a populist revolution that quickly turned authoritarian.

— Max Feliu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming disapproval and outrage over the idea of live-streaming a public execution, likening it to barbaric practices of authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of authoritarian

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boss men

bossy

botanical

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“Bossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bossy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bossy

adjective

Example Sentences

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