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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pompous
Against the devoted coalition of evangelical Christians, neocons, pompous billionaires and MAGA Republicans who now dominate the other side of the aisle, this prevaricating has failed to muster enthusiasm for the Democratic Party or much of the industry’s own product.
—
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Do Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones play real people in 'The Brutalist?’
The film kicks into high gear with the introduction of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a pompous patriarch and industrialist who commissions Tóth to design an elaborate community center.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
American Primeval is likely to earn the ire of Mormons and Native American advocacy groups alike (the U.S. military is presented as pompous and ineffective, but somewhat hygienic).
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The friend, who lived across the street, was the daughter of a Lutheran minister, who our father thought was a pompous and ridiculous person.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Do Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones play real people in 'The Brutalist?’
The film kicks into high gear with the introduction of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a pompous patriarch and industrialist who commissions Tóth to design an elaborate community center.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
American Primeval is likely to earn the ire of Mormons and Native American advocacy groups alike (the U.S. military is presented as pompous and ineffective, but somewhat hygienic).
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The friend, who lived across the street, was the daughter of a Lutheran minister, who our father thought was a pompous and ridiculous person.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompous
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Accusing it of being pretentious, an ego trip, and lacking depth.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
10 Mar. 2025
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His style and references can seem a little pretentious now.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
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Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Interestingly, men in relationships with women high in grandiose narcissism reported lower satisfaction, as these women heightened their partners’ pressure to appear perfect.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, travel plans might be grandiose; ditto for ideas related to higher education, publishing, the media, medicine and the law.—
Georgia Nicols,
The Denver Post,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Finer says, tensely, that, at end of day, Liv savvy, Liv smart, Liv too egotistical to kill self.—
George Saunders,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
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There’s no egotistical rock star bullsh**t going on here.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Actually, not necessarily so and an ostentatious display of a selection of five new electric vehicles parked in front of the South Portico of the White House improperly mixed the fortunes of Elon Musk and his auto manufacturer with the government.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2025
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The most ostentatious resemble small churches or even condo-style apartments with air conditioning, TVs and couches where families can comfortably spend time together.—
Keegan Hamilton,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The heavy nature of this defeat will end any title talk, but the reality check handed out by Atalanta must not be in vain.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pompous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompous. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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