Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Arrogant; overbearing.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Alternative spelling of high-handed.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Nearly a century ago, Wilson admitted America was being "highhanded" with Haiti.

    When Soft Hearts Make Smart Policy 2010

  • The tripartite alliance on Thursday condemned the "highhanded" raids by the Scorpions on the homes of axed deputy president Jacob

    ANC Daily News Briefing 2005

  • "highhanded" raids by the Scorpions on the homes of axed deputy president Jacob Zuma.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 2005

  • While U.S. officials have frequently given highhanded advice to leaders of other nations, Bernanke acknowledged that the events in the United States in the past few years have made him more understanding of their predicaments.

    Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says U.S. policy isn't causing global financial woes 2011

  • While U.S. officials have frequently given highhanded advice to leaders of other nations, Bernanke acknowledged that the events in the United States in the past few years have made him more understanding of their predicaments.

    Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says U.S. policy isn't causing global financial woes 2011

  • But she doesn't seem to understand that such highhanded behavior is inevitable; when we designate someone an expert, we grant him immunity to public opinion.

    The Lessons of the Turnpike Daniel Hannan 2012

  • And we know that 10.5 considers himself "The Doctor" and is angry at the highhanded way that Ten is treating him.

    Pony Pep Talk Needed...ARRGGH! rabid1st 2009

  • While U.S. officials have frequently given highhanded advice to leaders of other nations, Bernanke acknowledged that the events in the United States in the past few years have made him more understanding of their predicaments.

    Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says U.S. policy isn't causing global financial woes 2011

  • I shouted after them, but they sped on the wings of the wind, great regal poppies, broken-stalked and mangled, trailing after them or cluttering their wake — the most highhanded act of piracy, I am confident, ever committed off the high seas.

    The Golden Poppy 2010

  • Summers was even more highhanded in addressing the “retention bonuses” handed to the very employees who brokered all those bad bets.

    Sunday Reading 2009

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