megalomania

noun

meg·a·lo·ma·nia | \ ˌme-gə-lō-ˈmā-nē-ə

, -nyə \

Definition of megalomania

1 : a mania (see mania sense 2a) for great or grandiose performance an outburst of wildly extravagant commercial megalomania — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2 : a delusional mental illness that is marked by feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur

Other Words from megalomania More Example Sentences Learn More about megalomania

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Other Words from megalomania

megalomaniac \ ˌme-gə-lō-ˈmā-nē-ˌak

\ adjective or noun

megalomaniacal \ ˌme-gə-lō-mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl

\ or less commonly megalomanic \ ˌme-gə-lō-ˈma-nik

\ adjective

megalomaniacally \ ˌme-gə-lō-mə-ˈnī-ə-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of megalomania in a Sentence

Their CEO has an arrogance that borders on megalomania.

Recent Examples on the Web Their outgoing president, Alberto Fujimori had been democratically elected as a populist, only to preside over a regime of corruption, repression, and personal megalomania. — Jonathan M. Katz, The New Republic, "Accountability Is the Cure for an Ailing Democracy," 20 Jan. 2021 Closer listening would be an improvement over shallow megalomania. — John Brummett, Arkansas Online, "OPINION | JOHN BRUMMETT: In Trump's footsteps," 14 Dec. 2020 But no one can begin to change this 74-year pre-existing condition, meaning megalomania. — John Brummett, Arkansas Online, "OPINION | JOHN BRUMMETT: It's all about him, always," 27 Sep. 2020 Following Turkey’s hundred-year sleep, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in full megalomania bids to restore a supercharged Ottoman Empire with Turkey as the leader of a confederation of 61 Muslim countries and the first Islamic aircraft carrier. — Mark Helprin, National Review, "American Foreign and Defense Policy: Between Scylla and Charybdis," 16 Apr. 2020 The democratic spirit, unconstrained by virtue, creates a tyranny of egos, a monarchy of megalomania. — Joseph Loconte, National Review, "The Queen’s Speech," 7 Apr. 2020 These include, according to numerous critics, a tendency to megalomania and authoritarianism, as well as an anti-Muslim bias that had been an open secret for years before the current crisis. — James Griffiths, CNN, "The West turned Aung San Suu Kyi into a saint. She was always going to disappoint," 13 Dec. 2019 Well aware of Wright’s reputation for selfishness and megalomania, Hendrickson does note occasional pockets of humanity: in Wright’s generous treatment of fellow architects fallen on hard times, for example. — Christopher Benfey, Harper's magazine, "Burning Down the House," 25 Nov. 2019 As his megalomania and isolation grew, Mr. Mugabe’s rhetoric became more extravagant and bizarre. — Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, "Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean leader who helped liberate and destroy his country, dies at 95," 6 Sep. 2019

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