as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
I'd rather be thought of as a person with simple integrity, not a person given to grandiosity and exaggeration
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Recent Examples of grandiosity
Regardless, the president clearly reveled in his proximity to grandiosity.
—
Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
But her best work is in reaction to McKellen’s grandiosity.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Talking to a narcissist—whose behavior is characterized by grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy—is the ultimate example of navigating conversational landmines.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
But her best work is in reaction to McKellen’s grandiosity.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Talking to a narcissist—whose behavior is characterized by grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy—is the ultimate example of navigating conversational landmines.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiosity
Noun
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The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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The scenic appeal is undeniable, nature’s majestic prose both frames and dwarfs the tumultuous affectations of the characters.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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All of these terms are used interchangeably to refer to projecting quiet confidence without arrogance.—
Melody Wilding,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Democratic Party is in shambles because it has become consumed by leadership that wants to have cerebral debates over abstract concepts, and the Republican Party brand, vis-à-vis its own leadership, fails to appeal to greater masses because of its fascination with uninformed arrogance.—
Fabian Naranjo Gonzalez,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There's no pretension here: San Pancho's beach is dotted with boutique hotels and homes for rent and an array of restaurants, mostly of the no-frills and unassuming variety.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The promo references the famous —or, sometimes, infamous — farewells that contestants leave, penned in lipstick, on the vanity mirrors where queens do their makeup.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
17 Sep. 2025
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Place a container near your vanity to hold earrings, rings, hairpins, and coins.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harold is so clearly not a great man that his pretenses feel more like cries for help.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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Trump’s decision to resurrect the name Department of War strips away that pretense.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiosity. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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