Definition of arrogantnext
as in cocky
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude the arrogant young lawyer elbowed his way to the head of the line of customers, declaring that he was too busy to wait like everybody else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective arrogant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of arrogant are disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When is disdainful a more appropriate choice than arrogant?

The synonyms disdainful and arrogant are sometimes interchangeable, but disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When would haughty be a good substitute for arrogant?

The words haughty and arrogant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When might insolent be a better fit than arrogant?

The words insolent and arrogant can be used in similar contexts, but insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When could lordly be used to replace arrogant?

The meanings of lordly and arrogant largely overlap; however, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

Where would overbearing be a reasonable alternative to arrogant?

While the synonyms overbearing and arrogant are close in meaning, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When can proud be used instead of arrogant?

In some situations, the words proud and arrogant are roughly equivalent. However, proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When is it sensible to use supercilious instead of arrogant?

While in some cases nearly identical to arrogant, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arrogant The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis. Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026 Public policy decisions always need to strive for middle ground, and those leadership decisions often referred to as arrogant can just as easily be called principled leadership. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 23 May 2026 Some readers will probably hear a billionaire crediting luck and dismiss it as false modesty, the kind of thing people say to avoid sounding arrogant. Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for arrogant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrogant
Adjective
  • The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 June 2026
  • And that’s a result of of there being a touch of a commercial food emulsifier in the drink called xantham gum, which holds the ice and liquid together for superior consistency.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • An early, nonpublic version of Mythos spooked policymakers and corporate executives in April for its ability to find more than 10,000 severe bugs and vulnerabilities in important software systems.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Raring to go, all the top military brass, including the agitated Eisenhower and his supercilious British counterpart General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), act as though the rational, needfully single-minded man of science has personally betrayed the mission.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 May 2026
  • Her supercilious caricature of a boss, Suzie (Tara Summers), serves merely as a source of pressure.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Many of Furgeson’s subjects were displeased by his haughty musings, which would seem less out of place if he was garbed in a royal mantle and wielding a golden scepter.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 4 June 2026
  • One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns.
    Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • And it’s been a very bumptious relationship ever since.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
  • In public, Newsom speaks often and openly about his errors, fortifying his image as a bumptious, slightly hapless victim of his own enthusiasms.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That sweet spot between professionalism, entertainment and high-and-mighty disapproval?
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Lots of high-and-mighty people populate Tyrrell’s recollections.
    John Fund, National Review, 26 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • Not to sound pretentious, but Elwood Dowd is sort of like a Christlike figure.
    Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
  • Set the scene Sexy without being pretentious and bold without the brashness, Il Sereno is a lesson in artful restraint.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Arrogant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrogant. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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