overqualified

adjective

Definition of overqualifiednext
as in skilled

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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 overqualified Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound At this time in 2025, the Dodgers deployed the most overqualified opener of all time. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Others shared similar impressions of a cutthroat job market, in which a glut of overqualified candidates are competing for junior and mid-level software engineering jobs. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 28 May 2026 Social media is rife with frustrated job seekers submitting hundreds of applications with no callbacks and overqualified candidates desperately throwing resumes at entry-level positions. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, overqualified singers like Ravyn Lenae, Mustafa, and Omar Apollo do some of the background vocal riffs that Harlow’s limited range won’t reach. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overqualified
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overqualified
  1. skilled
  2. qualified
  3. adept
  4. proficient
  5. experienced
  6. competent
  7. veteran
  8. expert
Adjective
  • Guadagnino has always been skilled in his choice of music (Sufjan Stevens’ alt-pop in Call Me by Your Name, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ pounding EDM in Challengers).
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has added Podkolzin and traded for Howard in an effort to bring skilled youth to the roster.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of skilled
Adjective
  • Voters will decide races and statewide ballot measures, with 14 measures currently qualified for the November ballot.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Pike, who, at 18, qualified for capital punishment, was sentenced to death.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of qualified
Adjective
  • The service Staff are adept at service that’s natural, but makes guests feel special.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Nicole Feng, Zhang's mother, said her son has become more adept at using AI tools to explore his own interests, such as aviation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of adept
Adjective
  • Charles is dark and brooding, but proficient in manly pursuits.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Often a parent hears a child speaking English with friends or siblings and assumes the child is already proficient and has exited the program, Villarreal said.
    — Emily Woodruff, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of proficient
Adjective
  • The column also presents the military leadership cuts as a reason for concern about the resilience of democratic institutions, especially if experienced leaders are removed while the administration concentrates power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • At least one experienced appraiser told The Associated Press that a diamond of such size and quality could be worth a fourth of that — still an impressive find.
    — LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of experienced
Adjective
  • Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 36, of Florida was deemed mentally competent by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi, meaning the criminal case can proceed after a competency evaluation delayed it for more than four months.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In a room full of fascists and fools, Ahmed’s projection of competence—and of the spluttering exasperation that is the lot of the competent—proves a genuine balm.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of competent
Adjective
  • The veteran quarterback was sacked and didn’t return for the Commanders (1-3).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But credit is also due to the Raiders, who finally have a capable head coach, a veteran quarterback and a potential quarterback of the future waiting behind him.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of veteran
Adjective
  • Nonpartisan expert committees of educators and librarians select the books, nearly all published by Penguin Random House.
    — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But my favorite detail is the return of the expert podracer Sebulba from The Phantom Menace.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert

Browse Nearby Words

overprotective
overqualified
overran
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Cite this Entry

“Overqualified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overqualified. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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