as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a vainglorious woman who always insists on being the center of attention
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vainglorious
The attention to amusing detail is evident throughout, from the vainglorious mayor’s ample display of chest fur to the very long wintry outfit Gary De’Snake wears in snowy conditions.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
All but the most vainglorious architects imagine that their buildings will change in some small way after completion.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The real real thing tended to be rather different: clumsy, ad hoc, vainglorious—and secret.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Here, too, in the Airfix models and the vainglorious LP collection is the solitary self-curation of the only child—the kid who can’t dash from his bedroom to a sibling’s, model or record in hand.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
All but the most vainglorious architects imagine that their buildings will change in some small way after completion.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The real real thing tended to be rather different: clumsy, ad hoc, vainglorious—and secret.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Here, too, in the Airfix models and the vainglorious LP collection is the solitary self-curation of the only child—the kid who can’t dash from his bedroom to a sibling’s, model or record in hand.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglorious
Adjective
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But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
-
McDaniels, who cut through the Nuggets’ egos early in the series with fearless words and a smug grin, got the last laugh.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The tricky part of being a celebrity like Firstman on the internet is that some people can conflate your comedic persona (which is maybe a little arrogant, a little colorful) with your real identity.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Hunter is stubborn, arrogant and gifted enough to play for the Briar hockey team, yet refuses to for reasons the show has yet to reveal.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Subsequent photos showed the proud parents smiling in the audience as their daughter walked across the stage to collect her degree, Zahra alongside her friends in their graduation regalia and a glimpse at a family celebration.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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Paul McCartney is proud of the impact his music has on people.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
All is not only vanity; all is in vain.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
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Like other Democrats, Gillibrand also tried in vain to get Hegseth to answer questions about a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary girls school that killed more than 165 people, including many children.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Self-righteous and self-important, priggish and nagging.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
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Only this time the interns are boring Gen Z stereotypes (obsessed with TikTok, too sensitive, too emotional, too self-important).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Then give the land back, you pompous charlatans.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
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And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vainglorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vainglorious. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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