nar·cis·sist
ˈnär-sə-sist 
plural narcissists
: an individual showing symptoms of or affected by narcissism: such as
a
: an extremely self-centered person who has an exaggerated sense of self-importance
… 48.7 per cent of the network share, tuned in … to watch Dame Edna, the supremo of narcissists, treat the celebrity guests on her TV talk show like audiovisual aids.—
John Lahr
John LahrHumblebragging makes you sound like a narcissist who is also being deceptive.—Elise Craig
Elise Craig
also
: a person affected with narcissistic personality disorder
But unlike the garden-variety snob, narcissists have impaired relationships because they're unable to enter anyone else's world. —Adelle Waldman
Adelle Waldman … since the narcissist is so convinced of his high station (most are men), he automatically expects that others will recognize his superior qualities and will tell him so. —Charles Zanor
Charles Zanor
b
: a person who is overly concerned with his or her physical appearance
O.K., I'm like most baby boomers, a narcissist. In pursuit of the perfect body …—Cathy Booth
Cathy Booth
: of, relating to, or characterized by narcissism : narcissistic
narcissist behavior
a narcissist personality
Synonyms
Examples of narcissist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebLaura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2023
Research shows that narcissists tend to experience lower relationship satisfaction due to their demands for constant validation and admiration, which can be difficult for their partner to continuously provide, as well as their expectation of perfection from their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
The narcissists are Jeff and Shaleia Divine, online spiritual hucksters who have made a fortune off their Twin Flames Universe Universe empire.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2023
Narcissistic relationships tend to follow common patterns − and relationships between narcissists and their children are no exception.
—USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2023
The bodies of narcissists bear evidence of elevated stress.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
Learn about how partners of narcissists can be victims of emotional abuse.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 1 May 2023
Clinicians note several dimensions on which narcissists vary.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
All of these people are delusional narcissists; oh, to be one of them!
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 9 June 2023
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023
Dear Abby: My father is a narcissist and pathological liar who all his life has taken advantage of people.
—Abigail Van Buren, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
My father is a narcissist and pathological liar who all his life has taken advantage of people.
—Abigail Van Buren, al, 12 Sep. 2023
But how does someone become a narcissist − and can anything be done to stop it?
—USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2023
Covert narcissist traits may come in numerous forms.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2023
That fake allergy attack is something only a deeply unhinged narcissist would do, and Borgli, as a filmmaker, has failed to establish in any way that Signe is that sort of person.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Apr. 2023
My father is a narcissist and used love-bombing to get my mom.
—cleveland, 25 June 2022
Both at the trial and beyond, attempts were made to resolve this dissonance, mostly by fitting Murdaugh into one of various criminological categories: sociopath, narcissist, family annihilator.
—James Lasdun, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023
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Noun
What everyone's talking about What happens when a narcissist becomes a parent?
—Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2023
Research shows that narcissists tend to experience lower relationship satisfaction due to their demands for constant validation and admiration, which can be difficult for their partner to continuously provide, as well as their expectation of perfection from their partner.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
The narcissists are Jeff and Shaleia Divine, online spiritual hucksters who have made a fortune off their Twin Flames Universe Universe empire.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2023
Narcissistic relationships tend to follow common patterns − and relationships between narcissists and their children are no exception.
—USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2023
The bodies of narcissists bear evidence of elevated stress.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
Learn about how partners of narcissists can be victims of emotional abuse.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 1 May 2023
Clinicians note several dimensions on which narcissists vary.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023
All of these people are delusional narcissists; oh, to be one of them!
—Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 9 June 2023
Adjective
Perpetually aggrieved multi-millionaire narcissist frames scabbing as altruistic concern for the working man in order to satisfy insatiable need to express contempt for vulnerable transgender citizens and lob softballs to right wing wackos like Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023
Dear Abby: My father is a narcissist and pathological liar who all his life has taken advantage of people.
—Abigail Van Buren, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
My father is a narcissist and pathological liar who all his life has taken advantage of people.
—Abigail Van Buren, al, 12 Sep. 2023
But how does someone become a narcissist − and can anything be done to stop it?
—USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2023
Covert narcissist traits may come in numerous forms.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2023
That fake allergy attack is something only a deeply unhinged narcissist would do, and Borgli, as a filmmaker, has failed to establish in any way that Signe is that sort of person.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Apr. 2023
My father is a narcissist and used love-bombing to get my mom.
—cleveland, 25 June 2022
Both at the trial and beyond, attempts were made to resolve this dissonance, mostly by fitting Murdaugh into one of various criminological categories: sociopath, narcissist, family annihilator.
—James Lasdun, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narcissist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near narcissist
Cite this Entry
“Narcissist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcissist. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Medical Definition
narcissist
noun
nar·cis·sist
-səst
: an individual showing symptoms of or affected by narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder
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