narcissistic personality disorder

noun

: a personality disorder characterized especially by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, persistent need for admiration, lack of empathy for others, excessive pride in achievements, and snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitudes

At its most extreme, snobbery can be a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder, a condition marked by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a preoccupation with power and prestige.

—Adelle Waldman

Those with narcissistic personality disorder exaggerate their own importance, aided by success fantasies.

—David G. Myers

Examples of narcissistic personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nick Cannon got personal this week about his need for help after recently being diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024

On Wednesday, November 27 — amid volunteering at the Los Angeles Mission's Thanksgiving celebration — Cannon, 44, spoke with People about his narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) diagnosis. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Earlier this month, the Masked Singer host, 44, shared he had been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. —Abby Stern, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

So, a narcissistic parent is at its core someone who has a narcissistic personality disorder or is affected by narcissism, and in turn projects that onto their children, because they are threatened by their children's growing independence. —Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

narcissistic personality disorder

noun

: a personality disorder characterized especially by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, persistent need for admiration, lack of empathy for others, excessive pride in achievements, and snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitudes