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
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
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
The arrogance and self-importance are off the charts.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024
But even Murphy’s prestige projects seem to have swapped sincerity for self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024
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
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
The arrogance and self-importance are off the charts.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024
But even Murphy’s prestige projects seem to have swapped sincerity for self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
-
The toxic combination of Trump’s pro-Russia leanings, Vice President J. D. Vance’s arrogance and condescension, and Musk’s sad case of advanced poster’s disease have tanked America’s reputation among its traditional allies.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
-
But jealousy and arrogance get the best of Hamilton, who insinuates himself into the defense team, believing this action will help his political and financial setbacks.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Tiny Solar Homes The bathroom is nearby and contains a shower, vanity sink, and a flushing toilet.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The resurgence of popular beauty looks of decades past comes at no surprise to those who grew up watching their mothers and grandmothers do their hair or paint their nails at their bathroom vanity.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Wealth isn’t about intelligence or moral superiority.—
Greg Clement,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Lopez and the co-sponsors want to cloak themselves in moral superiority and call it a day.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Managing egos is unavoidable, but having to manage someone’s ego right from the start is not a positive indicator of things to come.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
But how did egos not get in the way, especially after the seasons Prince and Conner had in 2023?—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Another local chef who gets to revel in both culinary and local pride is Chef Edney Gaitor, of Café Martinique.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Yet, the beach culture becomes an everyday celebration of liberation, unity, and cultural pride.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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