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
The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
The arrogance and self-importance are off the charts.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024
But even Murphy’s prestige projects seem to have swapped sincerity for self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
The arrogance and self-importance are off the charts.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024
But even Murphy’s prestige projects seem to have swapped sincerity for self-importance.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
-
Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.—
Joao Mendes-Roter,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Although technology is a ubiquitous part of this production, the piece has practically nothing to say about it, other than acknowledging its mere existence — technology is related to vanity, and a front-facing selfie camera is like a mirror.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
-
That has real implications for brand deals and CPM negotiations — but risks creating a new layer of noise and vanity metrics in the creator economy.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Without a more concerted attempt to define and demonstrate ethical behavior, the romanticization of fintech’s alleged moral superiority is going to backfire.—
Ron Shevlin,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The 1960s ushered in debates about the constitutionality of the federal death penalty, due, in part, to a postwar sense of moral superiority.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This is the embodiment of this, within his mix of ego and extremism.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2025
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And the product category is more versatile—a tech reviewer can recommend a wallet with no conflict, no ego, and no risk.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Higher education takes pride in its ability to change lives and provide future financial stability for nearly all who come through our doors.—
Karen Weaver,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
For Kuyt, there is a deep sense of pride about Slot’s impact at Anfield.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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