1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-importance
We’d sometimes get threatened, and that only inflated our self-importance.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Late-night show hosts now have an attitude of self-importance, congratulating themselves for their work.
—Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Audiences today crave brands that prioritize substance over self-importance, and complexity and contradiction can be the very foundation of authenticity and connection.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In Roman Catholic traditions, some theologians consider pride — or the idea of unchecked self-importance or arrogance — the original and most serious sin.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
This is a marvelous role for Skarsgard, who gets to play up Gustav’s self-importance and lack of accountability along with his flirtatious charm as the movie progresses.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Reckoning commits is buying into its own self-importance.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Late-night show hosts now have an attitude of self-importance, congratulating themselves for their work.
—Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Audiences today crave brands that prioritize substance over self-importance, and complexity and contradiction can be the very foundation of authenticity and connection.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
In Roman Catholic traditions, some theologians consider pride — or the idea of unchecked self-importance or arrogance — the original and most serious sin.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 28 May 2025
This is a marvelous role for Skarsgard, who gets to play up Gustav’s self-importance and lack of accountability along with his flirtatious charm as the movie progresses.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Reckoning commits is buying into its own self-importance.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
-
Mitchell prides himself on being a no-nonsense, no-bulls*** kind of man, but his attitude can sometimes come across as arrogance.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.—
Christian Josi,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There was no vanity in her, which is what Fran McDormand had.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The homeowner’s suite, comprising a large bedroom, a sitting/dressing room, lots of closet space, and a bathroom with marble vanities, spills onto a deck overlooking the yard.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Timothy Olyphant, again, sells the superiority well.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to his clever punchlines that carry zero sting, the biggest names in TV can leave the ceremony with unbruised egos.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As if back in character, Colfer sported a massive smile, while O'Malley pointed his finger at Colfer in pride with a poker face.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Have a few rounds of Guinness pulled with pride, maybe a scotch sour.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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