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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pompous
Though well intentioned, Damian is pompous, consoling Martha while lecturing her on how humankind’s inability to curb its carbon footprint has made global warming unstoppable — and ecological catastrophe unavoidable.
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Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Manji will appear as Crispin, an arrogant, pompous employee at a fancy, high-end hardware store who snubs George.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024
Still, this adaptation of an O. Henry story tilts all its sympathies toward the outlaw hero the Cisco Kid (Warner Baxter, in a Best Actor–winning role) and away from the pompous white soldier charged with tracking him down.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
Both Anna and Ivan had wanted to keep it small and simple, to do something at a cafe, nothing pompous, but one thing led to another, and all their relatives came.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pompous 
Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Manji will appear as Crispin, an arrogant, pompous employee at a fancy, high-end hardware store who snubs George.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024
Still, this adaptation of an O. Henry story tilts all its sympathies toward the outlaw hero the Cisco Kid (Warner Baxter, in a Best Actor–winning role) and away from the pompous white soldier charged with tracking him down.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024
Both Anna and Ivan had wanted to keep it small and simple, to do something at a cafe, nothing pompous, but one thing led to another, and all their relatives came.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pompous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompous
Adjective
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Some media outlets are surrendering to Trump already This absurd boasting — arrogant without portfolio — is just what Trump is looking for in the VOA job.Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
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Angle was able to alter between arrogant heel and lovable goofball almost on a whim.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Like David, Danson appeared as a pretentious and smug version of himself on the beloved series.Esther Kang, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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Yet the people posting vitriolic comments about Thompson feel justified in being smug about the death of this human in particular.Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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With a gleaming library, a high-tech theater with seating wrapped around its stage, and the Grand Dutch Café bringing a bit of that Netherlands feel, Rotterdam is sophisticated without being pretentious.David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
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Despite having the world’s most extensive collection of Napa Valley wine — the list is more than 170 pages long — there is nothing pretentious about Press.Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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As of this week, there’s even a new Glossier product on the block sure to make Emily Weiss proud, a chubby eye shadow stick that’s excellent for accentuating even the most natural of makeup looks.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
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Funny Christmas jokes for kids, knock-knocks, memes to make dad proud How to prepare for winter 2024 — from freezing pipes to driving in snow and ice Who created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Marshall was known for his use of ornate and grandiose designs, which often features intricate details and luxurious materials, according to the Benjamin Marshall Society.Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
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The Tuscan-style villa is grandiose in every sense of the word.Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The film, which centers on a group of egotistical actors making a Vietnam War movie, grossed nearly $200 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for supporting actor thanks to Robert Downey Jr.Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
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And with Elon Musk playing a key role in this new administration, who knows in which direction his bombastic, egotistical whims may take AI development?Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Hyman and his team also concocted a devilish backstory for Tony to explain some of his ostentatious wealth.Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024
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Both have wires in them to facilitate various ostentatious display options.Ollie Barder, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Not in the sense of some vain idea of playing with people’s heads.Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
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Luke Evans, 45, who played the very vain but extremely fit character in the live-action Beauty and the Beast film, got very candid about the topic on the newest episode of the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast.Lauren Huff, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pompous
Cite this Entry
“Pompous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompous. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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