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as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph in his acceptance letter he assured his soon-to-be boss that he was proud to be joining such a fine company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proud differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When could arrogant be used to replace proud?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would disdainful be a reasonable alternative to proud?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When would haughty be a good substitute for proud?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When might insolent be a better fit than proud?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of proud?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of proud?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When is it sensible to use supercilious instead of proud?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

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 proud The proud dad wore a black suit with a white shirt and black bowtie, while the teen matched in a black suit of his own, pairing it with a black shirt and tie. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025 Instead of feeling pressure to just choose a side, Nick is allowed to become even prouder of his identity as the series progresses. Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 15 Sep. 2025 Kaitlyn Bristowe is a proud winner of Dancing With the Stars' coveted mirrorball trophy. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025 As Cantillo dissected his outing, Hedges peered over at him, beaming like a proud father. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proud
Adjective
  • Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Just so smug and elitist and short-sighted.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cutting the magnificent Bentley Flying Spur W12 from the brand’s line-up was done to meet emissions standards, and before the hybrid V8 arrived, like the one tested here, the world received a V6 plug-in.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This Idaho estate is the magnificent 708.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And then there’s Oasis, currently on its triumphant global reunion tour.
    Jesse Adams, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Needless to say, fans have been waiting for the Limitless One to make his triumphant return.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Talking about the huddle, one of his teammates just walked off the field inexplicably (Governor Kugler) taking early retirement and two others (Waller and Bowman) are openly disdainful of his play calling.
    Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • For decades, the Academy seemed to keep Cruise at a vaguely disdainful distance, dismissing him as more of an action figure than a serious ack-TOOR.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • There has never been a more important time than right now.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Trout’s injuries over the last five seasons will likely rob him of the chance to reach some of baseball’s most important milestones.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Angela Flournoy follows her highly honored first novel, The Turner House (2016), with an illuminating polyphonic exploration of the glorious heights and darkest lows of friendships among four women.
    Jane Ciabattari September 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Liverpool vs Real Madrid, November 4 From Kevin De Bruyne’s glorious homecoming, to one that could be a more awkward affair as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool just months after leaving his boyhood club for Real Madrid.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But the hummingbirds are ecstatic.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Wrestlers and wrestling fans alike are ecstatic that fan-favorite WWE Superstar AJ Lee has made her return to professional wrestling.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proud. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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