1
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
prideful intellectuals long considered rock music unworthy of serious study
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
at the wedding the prideful snobs ignored their poor relations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph
flashed a prideful smile as she received her college diploma
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prideful
There was no backlash to Ceferin’s words, no prideful defensiveness.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our elderly are hurting & too prideful to say anything.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He was too hurt to go, and probably too prideful.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
For the Connecticut Sun and its fans, the past is prideful, the future is murky.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our elderly are hurting & too prideful to say anything.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He was too hurt to go, and probably too prideful.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
For the Connecticut Sun and its fans, the past is prideful, the future is murky.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prideful
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
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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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So began a comeback journey hailed as triumphant and inspirational.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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His triumphant and ebullient block party-esque rave-up of Latinidad featured a medley of songs old and new, spanning albums Un Verano Sin Ti and history-making Debí Tirar Más Fotos.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2026
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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The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
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But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, ecstatic supporters waved Swiss flags.—
Joseph Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik were ecstatic after scoring their season best today.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And so the familiar, awkward family dynamics are established, right down to Rosamund and Posy's haughty demeanor towards their step-sister/underling.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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This phrase is typically dismissive, condescending, and a little bit haughty, even when intended as humor.—
John Bowe,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 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
Cite this Entry
“Prideful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prideful. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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