as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
I'd rather be thought of as a person with simple integrity, not a person given to grandiosity and exaggeration
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Recent Examples of grandiosity
Talking to a narcissist—whose behavior is characterized by grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy—is the ultimate example of navigating conversational landmines.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
For a filmmaker once renowned for his grandiosity, the director has always been surprisingly self-deprecating and conflicted in his own assessments of his work.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
For a filmmaker once renowned for his grandiosity, the director has always been surprisingly self-deprecating and conflicted in his own assessments of his work.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiosity
Noun
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The scenic appeal is undeniable, nature’s majestic prose both frames and dwarfs the tumultuous affectations of the characters.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2025
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As a director, Serio has made a name for himself with these kinds of actor-forward, hyperintimate, hyperreal stagings — Uncle Vanya in a loft — and this is a case where minimalism comes across as an affectation.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.—
Christian Josi,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
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These traits do not always show up as arrogance.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
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Such pretensions on the part of the mega-rich aren’t new; Lowell reminds us of that.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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On the surface, vanity PR may look good.—
Jenna Guarneri,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The report suggests there could also be other operating issues with the vehicle's DC/AC inverter, glove box light, vanity lights, dome lamps, alarm portion of the horn, rear defrost, or the USB charger.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But not everyone accepts that pretense.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Sep. 2025
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But the Jiménezes’ work does not carry the pretense of purity.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiosity. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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