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

Garden variety narcissism—as opposed to clinical narcissistic personality disorder—exists in everyone to various degrees, the professor notes. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 23 May 2024

My best guess is narcissistic personality disorder, with some exhibitionist tendencies thrown in. —Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

Narcissism is not necessarily an indication of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). —Catherine Dibenedetto, Health, 19 Mar. 2024

Chalamet plays Roald Dahl’s eccentric candy maker in the origin story of a character who has been variously described as innovative, flamboyant, stubborn, benevolent, arrogant, authoritarian and suffering from narcissistic personality disorder. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

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