narcissistic personality disorder

noun

: a personality disorder characterized especially by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, persistent need for admiration, lack of empathy for others, excessive pride in achievements, and snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitudes

At its most extreme, snobbery can be a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder, a condition marked by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a preoccupation with power and prestige.

—Adelle Waldman

Those with narcissistic personality disorder exaggerate their own importance, aided by success fantasies.

—David G. Myers

Examples of narcissistic personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, people with narcissistic personality disorder have it, as well as some people with autism. —Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025

However, Walsh said far more men than women are diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, with up to 7 percent of men potentially having the disorder. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

In adulthood, narcissism may develop into a narcissistic personality disorder. —Eddie Brummelman, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2025

Experts warn that this trend often highlights misconceptions about narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which research suggests affects approximately up to 5% of Americans. —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for narcissistic personality disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Medical Definition

narcissistic personality disorder

noun

: a personality disorder characterized especially by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, persistent need for admiration, lack of empathy for others, excessive pride in achievements, and snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitudes