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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pompous
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
Stan would’ve played Joe Alwyn’s role, Harry Lee Van Buren, the pompous son of Guy Pearce’s moneyed industrialist who exploits Adrien Brody’s Jewish-Hungarian architect.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2025
What began earlier in Iannucci’s career as simply skewering pompous politicians has matured into an examination of what happens when leaders with feet of mud let their egos make decisions that will change the lives of millions.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
One night, a Bronze Age army led by the pompous Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) drives the tribe out of the valley claiming that the primitive Stone Age is over.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Stan would’ve played Joe Alwyn’s role, Harry Lee Van Buren, the pompous son of Guy Pearce’s moneyed industrialist who exploits Adrien Brody’s Jewish-Hungarian architect.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2025
What began earlier in Iannucci’s career as simply skewering pompous politicians has matured into an examination of what happens when leaders with feet of mud let their egos make decisions that will change the lives of millions.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
One night, a Bronze Age army led by the pompous Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) drives the tribe out of the valley claiming that the primitive Stone Age is over.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pompous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompous
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 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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But diners won’t find pretentious fare at Canal House Station.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
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Art fairs trend toward the exclusive and pretentious.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
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As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.—
Danny K. Davis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These moments work, but as a whole, the album buckles under the weight of its creator’s grandiose vision.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
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These early recordings presented a nihilistic and drug-addled world view, and a bracing reimagination of R. & B. Tesfaye eventually stepped out from the shadows, and as his star grew his aesthetic and narrative ambitions became more grandiose.—
Carrie Battan,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s no egotistical rock star bullsh**t going on here.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Some developers replaced country homes with ostentatious mansions that look out of place.—
Heather Knight,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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Back in the 1970s, recalls a writer who grew up there, Malibu was a more relaxed and less ostentatious place.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Their sacrifices remind us that doing what is right is never in vain, even when the path forward is unclear.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
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But then the Reds discover humanity already reached the surface generations ago and that their work has been in vain, only to be kept under the thumb of the ruling class.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pompous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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