1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of self-importance
In Roman Catholic traditions, some theologians consider pride — or the idea of unchecked self-importance or arrogance — the original and most serious sin.
—
Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
This is a marvelous role for Skarsgard, who gets to play up Gustav’s self-importance and lack of accountability along with his flirtatious charm as the movie progresses.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Reckoning commits is buying into its own self-importance.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Stepping away from self-importance and vanity could be challenging, so solidifying friendships and partnerships is the best way to handle the New Moon.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 24 Apr. 2025
People high on grandiose narcissism exhibit an inflated sense of superiority or self-importance, a lack of empathy, overconfidence, and entitlement.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Sep. 2024
The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
This is a marvelous role for Skarsgard, who gets to play up Gustav’s self-importance and lack of accountability along with his flirtatious charm as the movie progresses.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Reckoning commits is buying into its own self-importance.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Stepping away from self-importance and vanity could be challenging, so solidifying friendships and partnerships is the best way to handle the New Moon.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 24 Apr. 2025
People high on grandiose narcissism exhibit an inflated sense of superiority or self-importance, a lack of empathy, overconfidence, and entitlement.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Sep. 2024
The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
-
The film sardonically conjures a golden age of interventionist arrogance.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
-
Here are the more common ways insecurities can manifest themselves: • Confidence will turn into arrogance.—
Bill English,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Even the smallest guest room, at 516 square feet, provides guests with ample space to spread out, with double vanities and a deep soaking tub in the bathroom.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2025
-
Perfect for a vanity, living room, or anywhere that could use additional seating, this upholstered throne has earned over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon for its softness, back support and ease of assembly.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
As long as the world remains fixated on the Jews and Israel, Islamists and their allies can use their overwhelming numbers (and, yes, their financial superiority) to flood the zone with demonizing propaganda and portray themselves as the good guys.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
The company reports that comparative tests consistently confirm its superiority over traditional elastomers, especially after aggressive industrial processing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
When leaders tune in without ego, teams feel safe, seen and energized.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
He was hired as a guy to document the fruition of Stockton’s dream from the start of the whole thing, which tells you the kind of ego that Stockton had.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Uranium enrichment, a source of pride for Iran, is at the heart of a long rift between the two countries.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
As his tenure there comes to an end next month, Levine can look in the mirror and say with no small measure of pride: Mission accomplished.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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