arrogant

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

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: arrogant in a Sentence

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

Each character embodies one all-encompassing trait: Lucy (Payton Miller), for instance, is always arrogant.

— trevor moore, charlotteobserver, "STUDENT REVIEW: ‘Charlie Brown’ at Carmel Christian | Charlotte Observer," 20 May 2018
All that success has made a once-sympathetic fan base arrogant and insufferable, and the Celtics were only too happy to cater that group’s own substantial self-regard.

— mike sielski, Philly.com, "The story and significance of Sixers-Celtics in NBA playoffs series and the best chant in sports | Mike Sielski," 1 May 2018
According to a recent survey, Colombians consider international miners arrogant and dishonest.

— julia symmes cobb and nelson bocanegra, The Christian Science Monitor, "Colombian municipality seeks local self-determination to protect mining," 11 Apr. 2018
Zuckerberg has to do his best to paint the picture of a CEO who is accountable and transparent, not arrogant and disconnected.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Mark Zuckerberg's 'filter bubble' -- and why he needs to pop it," 9 Apr. 2018
But to replace him with Turner Gill is rather unforgivable, and to guarantee Gill $10 million over five years was just arrogant business when he would've taken the job for much less.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: Moose, Mahomes, Moore, Zenger out and the NBA in? | The Kansas City Star," 22 May 2018
The word cocky is beloved among certain romance novelists, both for its suggestion of arrogant, alpha-male heroes and for its euphemistic potential.

— constance grady, Vox, "How an author trademarking the word “cocky” turned the romance novel industry inside out," 15 May 2018
Solo leans into that rollicking atmosphere, making no illusions about the fact that this is a heist caper/origin story about one of pop culture's most arrogant, stubborn, lovable bad boys.

— refinery29.com, "Solo: A Star Wars Story," 15 May 2018
Deadpool is Deadpool, however, and his arrogant bravado is able to turn even the simplest mission into a complete and utter disaster.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "Deadpool 2 proves the first movie was no fluke," 15 May 2018

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