arrogance

noun

ˈer-ə-gən(t)s How to pronounce arrogance (audio)
Definition of arrogancenext
as in superiority
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims in his arrogance the president of the club made all the arrangements for the annual banquet without consulting the members

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 arrogance However, confidence can quickly turn into arrogance, so remember to stay grounded. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 The combination of arrogance and doctored intelligence that led the United States and its allies into the 2003 Iraq War is almost made for Hollywood. — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026 Except the brash arrogance that long lived behind the slogan has taken a bit of a hit in recent years. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for arrogance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrogance
  1. superiority
  2. disdain
  3. attitude
  4. haughtiness
  5. imperiousness
  6. superciliousness
  7. presumptuousness
  8. pomposity
Noun
  • The aircraft’s multi-role design also gives commanders greater flexibility in employing it for different missions rather than limiting it to the traditional air-superiority role associated with earlier Eagle variants.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Decide for yourself whether that’s a bold indicator of English football’s superiority over the rest of the world, or a revolting symbol of the bloated and vulgar behemoth that the game has become.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • The public's mounting disdain for the tech sector could prove especially challenging for Anthropic and OpenAI, both valued at nearly $1 trillion and gearing up for potentially historic IPOs.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ashcroft shares further thoughts about Frank’s disdain for Francis Jr.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disdain
Noun
  • It’s long ceased to be a neighborhood that puts on airs, an attitude that liberates us all tonight.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The lax attitude about their home base is just part of the gig.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of attitude
Noun
  • Sarah and Billo were plain-sailing people who didn’t pursue beauty or seek out texture, whereas Fanny was an exquisite snob without the circumstances to support such haughtiness.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Pearl revels in wickedness, presenting a literary world in which a successful writer’s haughtiness is both encouraged and rewarded.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Definition of haughtiness
Noun
  • Moreno operated with an imperiousness toward both low-level employees and influential stakeholders.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s something touching about her imperiousness, a regal vulnerability that shines through even in her romantic interaction with Dussie Mae (CJ Obilom), whom Levee has his predatory eye on.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of imperiousness
Noun
  • However, in the wrong hands, being silent can signal disdain and superciliousness.
    — Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of superciliousness
Noun
  • Aggie is appalled at Nile’s presumptuousness, his entitlement.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
  • Optimistic Miami Dolphins fans — assuming there are any left right now; forgive the presumptuousness — could find a way to be (relatively) encouraged coming out of Thursday night’s game.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Definition of presumptuousness
Noun
  • It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • After a decade of being held together by pomposity and average players, the bill has come due.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of pomposity

Browse Nearby Words

arrivistes
arrogance
arrogant
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Cite this Entry

“Arrogance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrogance. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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