PROUD Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'proud' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant , disdainful , haughty , insolent , lordly , overbearing , and supercilious . While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness. // too proud to take charity

Q: When could 'arrogant' be used to replace 'proud'?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. // a conceited and arrogant executive

Q: Where would 'disdainful' be a reasonable alternative to 'proud'?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. // disdainful of their social inferiors

Q: When would 'haughty' be a good substitute for 'proud'?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position. // a haughty aristocrat

Q: When might 'insolent' be a better fit than 'proud'?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness. // ignored by an insolent waiter

Q: When can 'lordly' be used instead of 'proud'?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power. // a lordly condescension

Q: In what contexts can 'overbearing' take the place of 'proud'?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence. // an overbearing supervisor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'supercilious' instead of 'proud'?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness. // an aloof and supercilious manner

proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d

Definition of proud next

as in arrogant

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself the unemployed woman was too proud to take a job as a maid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself a proud cheerleader who thought she should be treated like royalty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the old neighborhood was known for its stately trees and proud Victorian houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in triumphant

having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph in his acceptance letter he assured his soon-to-be boss that he was proud to be joining such a fine company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For

Try This

a proud nation

a noble nation

a boastful nation

a mighty nation

a glorious nation

a magnificent nation

a proud owner

a pleased owner

an enthusiastic owner

an elated owner

a satisfied owner

a delighted owner

a proud moment

a glorious moment

a special moment

an awesome moment

a happy moment

an amazing moment

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proud differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When could arrogant be used to replace proud?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would disdainful be a reasonable alternative to proud?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When would haughty be a good substitute for proud?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When might insolent be a better fit than proud?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of proud?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of proud?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When is it sensible to use supercilious instead of proud?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of proud Jim worked various jobs before becoming the proud owner and president of Advantage Printing Resources in 2005. —

Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 The actor is the proud dog dad of five canine companions Comments Rob Lowe was determined to get an Oscar, one way or another! —

Nicholas Rice, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025 Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia. —

Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025 Just 53% of Canadians polled reported being very proud of their national identity. —

Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for proud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proud

Adjective

Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.

— Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.

— Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025