high-handed
/ˌhaɪ ˈhændɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhaɪ ˈhændɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhī-ˈhan-dəd/ (ame, mw)
high-handed — adjective
1. describes a person or an action when they behave as if their own authority is co
describes a person or an action when they behave as if their own authority is complete and they do not need to listen to anyone else — for example, a manager who imposes new rules without asking staff, or a government that silences critics without a fair process.
The CEO's high-handed decision to fire ten employees without warning angered the whole company.
high-handed + decision — typical noun collocation
Citizens protested against the government's high-handed methods of silencing critics.
high-handed + methods — typical noun collocation
Chen found his manager's high-handed attitude unbearable and began looking for a new job.
The principal's high-handed approach to school discipline created fear rather than respect.
Amina refused to accept the committee's high-handed ruling without a proper hearing.
- overbearing
more personal — describes a person's character rather than a specific action or ruling
- dictatorial
stronger tone — suggests absolute power, often in a political or institutional setting
- imperious
more formal — focuses on a commanding, superior manner
- arbitrary
emphasises that the decision is based on personal whim rather than reason or fairness
- considerate
opposite in the sense of caring about others' feelings
- democratic
opposite in the sense of involving others in decisions
- humble
opposite attitude — modest rather than arrogantly powerful
用法筆記
This word almost always appears before a noun that describes an action, decision, or way of behaving — e.g. 'decision', 'attitude', 'approach', 'method'. Using it alone as a predicate ('The manager is high-handed') is possible but less common.