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 whole lot of them join forces to stop Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) pompous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) — with an alien race called the Chitauri at his command — from conquering the planet.
—
Will Harris, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Will Harris, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompous
Adjective
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In a world where deal flow is crucial, being labeled as an arrogant VC results in missing out on prime opportunities.—
David Nour,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The arrogant anti-union stance did not start with the current CEO; even the legendary Studs Terkel was slapped down by WFMT management for his earlier support of an effort to unionize in 1990.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But my in-laws seemed not to catch this smug look of his, and when my mother-in-law excused herself to go to the bathroom, my father-in-law took the opportunity to go over to his desk and take out one of his special blue envelopes.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
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But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a certain traditional stereotype of actors as people who are arrogant or self-confident, the sort of people who are overly serious, aloof, or pretentious.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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Accusing it of being pretentious, an ego trip, and lacking depth.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career?—
Isaac Mizrahi,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Was proud of winning the school’s first district championship in 20 years.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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See the grandiose steps, ornate lampposts, art deco doors, unchanged from the days when a commissionaire was on guard to welcome the players into the Marble Halls.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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In the 1998 episode, Theroux, 53, appears briefly as an egotistical writer who flirts with Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw at a party.—
John Russell,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Yes: Crumb’s work is egotistical, misogynist, racist—or, more generously, a feculent parody.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Do that five or six times and then garnish with a celery stalk, and perhaps something ostentatious like a poached shrimp or a cheeseburger, and enjoy.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
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Of clothing: not showy, ostentatious, or overly revealing.—
Jalen Williams,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Not gaining admission to a BS/MD program after years of work can feel like a setback, but rest assured that your hard work will not be in vain.—
Kristen Moon,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Real celebrities guest-starred in often awkward encounters with the always vain and self-centered Miss Piggy.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pompous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompous. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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