arrogant

adjective ar·ro·gant \ ˈer-ə-gənt , ˈa-rə- \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of arrogant

1 : exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner

an arrogant official

2 : showing an offensive attitude of superiority : proceeding from or characterized by arrogance

an arrogant reply

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arrogantly

adverb

See arrogant defined for English-language learners

See arrogant defined for kids

Examples of arrogant in a Sentence

Tim Blixseth, the founder of the Yellowstone Club and other gated hideaways, tells Frank: "I don't like most rich people. They can be arrogant." This from a man who owns two Shih Tzus named Learjet and G2. —Alex Beam, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 2007
Arrogant execs are not the only targets of investors' ire. … There's no telling how much money analysts such as Meeker cost investors with their interminable buy recommendations on Internet stocks that eventually went bust. —Marcia Vickers et al., Business Week, 25 Feb. 2002
Despite her social and business status in Washington, Graham remained unassuming and down to earth. Her quiet but steady courage affirmed women such as Geneva Overhosler, a former editor and Post ombudsman, by showing a woman could be powerful without being arrogant. —Mark Fitzgerald et al., Editor & Publisher, 23 July 2001
Shakespeare must have known that while his audiences loved to see villains punished and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fidget and squirm through mea culpas before the final scene. —Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999
She's first in her class, but she's not arrogant about it.
the arrogant young lawyer elbowed his way to the head of the line of customers, declaring that he was too busy to wait like everybody else

Recent Examples of arrogant from the Web

In response, some sniping male writers accused her of being egoistic and arrogant.

— anna diamond, Smithsonian, "Writing in the Public Eye, These Women Brought the 20th Century Into Focus," 4 Apr. 2018
Indeed, his demeanor has often been characterized as smug, or arrogant because of his impenetrable swagger.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Tory Lanez on His New Album 'Memories Don't Die,' Potential Joint Project With Meek Mill & Why 50 Cent Is His Mentor," 5 Mar. 2018
This is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Drake and the Strange Spectacle of Charity," 22 Feb. 2018
There are many who believe that the federal government is too large, too intrusive, too busy, too arrogant, etc.

— kevin d. williamson, National Review, "Why Trust the FBI?," 28 Jan. 2018
To McCain's staff, Obama is merely a liberal, naive, arrogant extension of what Democrats have been offering for years.

— Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018
Accused of being 'arrogant' during his time with the Gunners, the report suggests Arteta could have difficulty building bridges at the Premier League side should he be seen as the man to replace Wenger.

— SI.com, "Report Claims Arsenal Stars Oppose Appointment of 'Arrogant' Mikel Arteta As Wenger Replacement," 6 Mar. 2018
Hayes frequently displayed a cocky sense of humor at that set, landing some jokes but more often coming across as arrogant and off-putting.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Kelsea Ballerini celebrates 4th No. 1 single, and getting over the flu, at Milwaukee show," 23 Feb. 2018
The old Oakland Raiders were an arrogant, iconoclastic bunch that did not play well with others.

— john walters, Newsweek, "Raiders of the Lost Art of Winning: Will Jim Harbaugh Be Their Indiana Jones?," 5 Dec. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrogant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of arrogant

Middle English, from Latin arrogant-, arrogans, present participle of arrogare — see arrogate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

arrogant Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of arrogant

proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

- too proud to take charity

arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

- a conceited and arrogant executive

haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

- a haughty aristocrat

lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

- a lordly condescension

insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

- ignored by an insolent waiter

overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

- an overbearing supervisor

supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

- an aloof and supercilious manner

disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

- disdainful of their social inferiors

ARROGANT Defined for English Language Learners

arrogant

adjective

Definition of arrogant for English Language Learners

: having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people : having or showing arrogance