as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a self-important businessman who believed his schedule mattered more than anyone else's
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Recent Examples of self-important
This splendid, wry satire is about a wealthy family, self-important and confident in their morality, whose blithe and bumptious existences are thrown into disarray when their father clandestinely decides to give all their money to charity, and so (in their opinions) completely destroys their lives.
—
Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
It was being painted as an out-of-touch, arcane, and self-important social institution from a bygone era, and was doing very little to dispel that characterization.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The adults in Moonrise Kingdom are either thoroughly unhappy, in the case of Suzy’s parents (played by Frances McDormand and Bill Murray), or rather delusional, like Sam’s self-important troop master (Edward Norton).
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-important
Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
It was being painted as an out-of-touch, arcane, and self-important social institution from a bygone era, and was doing very little to dispel that characterization.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The adults in Moonrise Kingdom are either thoroughly unhappy, in the case of Suzy’s parents (played by Frances McDormand and Bill Murray), or rather delusional, like Sam’s self-important troop master (Edward Norton).
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-important
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-important
Adjective
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Perhaps the frustration this time will be mitigated slightly as EV owners feel a bit smug about eliminating range anxiety.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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There really was a secret cabal of the rich and powerful who committed horrific crimes, smug in the knowledge that their money and power would protect them.—
Pat Beall,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cena gets to show off his mane of hair while playing Peacemaker, the egotistical vigilante that made his debut in 2021's Suicide Squad and now leads the acclaimed HBO Max series also starring Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Jennifer Holland.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Sears had a proud narrative, but Amazon had a compounding moat.—
Michael Cannivet,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Both teams have won once and lost once in the top flight so far this term, and Sunderland was particularly proud of a 3-0 win at home to West Ham on the opening weekend.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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She was constantly plagued by fear that her efforts would be in vain and Peach wouldn't make it.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
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Johnson and his administration have spent much time and energy — mostly in vain — demanding more money from Pritzker and lawmakers in Springfield, in no small part due to the pressure on city services from having to plow more money into pension funds.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The real real thing tended to be rather different: clumsy, ad hoc, vainglorious—and secret.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
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Here, too, in the Airfix models and the vainglorious LP collection is the solitary self-curation of the only child—the kid who can’t dash from his bedroom to a sibling’s, model or record in hand.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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This is the worst kind of football team: a conceited but objectively mediocre squad.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
17 Nov. 2024
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Rory Kinnear steals some of the best lines as the conceited British prime minister, and Ato Essandoh, as Kate’s deputy chief, plays the ever-flustered man surrounded by extremely capable women with admirable humor, charm, and confidence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Jamie Demetriou, best known for his memorable performances in Fleabag and Stath Lets Flats, has been cast as the pompous and self-important distant relative who intends to marry one of the Bennet girls.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
30 July 2025
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Over two films, Reed faced off against Victor, the pompous and vengeful CEO of Von Doom Industries.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-important.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-important. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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