arrogance

noun

ar·​ro·​gance ˈer-ə-gən(t)s How to pronounce arrogance (audio)
ˈa-rə-
: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions

Examples of arrogance in a Sentence

He was like a movie star at his high school reunion, muting his arrogance and trying to be a regular guy for old times' sake. He seemed to genuinely appreciate the honor. Carlo Rotella, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2008
This kind of official arrogance is not new, of course, although it is perhaps more common in dictatorships than in democracies. Ian Buruma, New York Times Book Review, 17 Sept. 2006
Arrogance is, at once, what an athlete most needs and what fans least want to see. Dan Le Batard, ESPN, 15 Mar. 2004
A British expat who could have stepped out of a Graham Greene plot, Twyman makes an improbable Jamaican hero. His self-assurance borders on arrogance, particularly when something is not done precisely the way he would do it himself. Barry Estabrook, Gourmet, July 2003
Her arrogance has earned her a lot of enemies. We were shocked by the arrogance of his comments.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans. Christian Josi, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 These traits do not always show up as arrogance. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 But expert Sung Yoon Lee believes that Kim Yo-jong is positioning herself to take over, given her reputation for ruthlessness, arrogance and ambition. Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 There are no traces of guile, cynicism, arrogance or duplicity. John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arrogance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arrogaunce, errogaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French arrogance, arrogaunce, borrowed from Latin arrogantia, noun derivative of arrogant-, arrogans "insolent, overbearing, arrogant"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrogance was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Arrogance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrogance. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

arrogance

noun
ar·​ro·​gance ˈar-ə-gən(t)s How to pronounce arrogance (audio)
: a sense of one's own importance that shows itself in a proud and insulting way

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