1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
the pompous waiter served us in the manner of a person doing some poor soul a great favor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a pompous piano teacher who thought that the music world was lucky to have her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pretentious
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
a pompous gambling casino decorated to look like a palace in ancient Rome
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pompous
The final pages of Shelley’s novel deliver a message about how pompous and misguided humanity is for playing God.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and María Luisa Manrique de Lara y Gonzaga (a rather pompous name that encompassed two major hereditary estates, a principality, a county, a marquisate, and, for a time, a viceroyalty) met in 1680 in Mexico City.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
His portrayal of a pompous, yapping intellectual who's rotten to the core rings uncomfortably true, as do the performances of Thatcher and East as their characters nonverbally communicate their discomfort to each other.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and María Luisa Manrique de Lara y Gonzaga (a rather pompous name that encompassed two major hereditary estates, a principality, a county, a marquisate, and, for a time, a viceroyalty) met in 1680 in Mexico City.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
His portrayal of a pompous, yapping intellectual who's rotten to the core rings uncomfortably true, as do the performances of Thatcher and East as their characters nonverbally communicate their discomfort to each other.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompous
Adjective
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He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
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In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
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But that poem is no smug cliché.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Newsom’s shadow diplomacy, widely seen as a pretentious distraction during the Biden years, has a different look at a moment of nativism and trade conflict in Washington.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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Elevated with an ever-evolving menu of dishes in a non-pretentious yet upscale environment, Forty 1 is led by Chef Lindsey Dale who is no stranger to fresh, local ingredients, and who also works closely with local purveyors.—
David Duran,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Playing in this year's Super Bowl was Rockwall legend Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the Rockwall community couldn't be prouder of him, holding a watch party in his honor.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Patriots’ defense, however, should stand proud after Sunday’s contest.—
Doug Kyed,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no grandiose plan, but that’s what Jimmy and I knew.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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But their rise has also attracted a slew of criticism, fueled in recent decades by the grandiose lifestyles and criminal convictions of some godmen.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Robbie, who proved her deadpan comedic acting chops in Barbie, is a joy as the flighty, vain, fast-talking Cathy, totally lacking in self-awareness.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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Deliver on defense Boston led the league with 116 errors last year, a source of ongoing frustration for the manager, who has spent most of his tenure preaching the need for lockdown defense on a near-constant basis and in vain.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The guests here are affluent but not ostentatious; their demeanor and dress are relaxed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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The show’s beating heart is Cumming, who peacocks across the Scottish Highlands in ostentatious costumes while delivering one game show twist after the next.—
Jonathan Borge,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And women who foreground themselves in any capacity are often perceived to be self-important drama queens, or narcissists.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
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Jeffrey Tambor Known for playing the pompous, self-important mayor of Whoville, Jeffery Tambor also has an esteemed career across television and film.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pompous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompous. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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