as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
I'd rather be thought of as a person with simple integrity, not a person given to grandiosity and exaggeration
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Recent Examples of grandiosity
Ancher avoided grandiosity, said Lucy Waterson in Apollo.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
Mise-en-scène remains crucial to maintaining the grandiosity of the Marci experience—his reference pool and peerless lifestyle raps simultaneously enhance each other.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Swedish singer-composer Anna von Hausswolff, whose cathedral melodies, intense vocals and doom-laden dirges share much in common with Nordic heavy-metal culture, specializes in mystery and grandiosity.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Denzel Washington’s shawls in Gladiator II were an extension of the aspiring politician’s grandiosity.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Narcissism is defined by long-standing patterns of grandiosity, an extreme need for attention, and fantasies of unlimited brilliance.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
After all, the first informs the second in ways that are intellectually satisfying to dig into; the latter lends itself to grandiosity.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
All brittleness and bile in the hands of Diego Luna, Valentín’s quiet righteousness rubs up against his cellmate’s grandiosity in all the wrong ways — at first.
—Blythe Marks, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
Ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner are depicted trying to reach Ye through his fog of grandiosity, to no avail.
—Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
Mise-en-scène remains crucial to maintaining the grandiosity of the Marci experience—his reference pool and peerless lifestyle raps simultaneously enhance each other.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Swedish singer-composer Anna von Hausswolff, whose cathedral melodies, intense vocals and doom-laden dirges share much in common with Nordic heavy-metal culture, specializes in mystery and grandiosity.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Denzel Washington’s shawls in Gladiator II were an extension of the aspiring politician’s grandiosity.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Narcissism is defined by long-standing patterns of grandiosity, an extreme need for attention, and fantasies of unlimited brilliance.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
After all, the first informs the second in ways that are intellectually satisfying to dig into; the latter lends itself to grandiosity.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
All brittleness and bile in the hands of Diego Luna, Valentín’s quiet righteousness rubs up against his cellmate’s grandiosity in all the wrong ways — at first.
—Blythe Marks, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
Ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner are depicted trying to reach Ye through his fog of grandiosity, to no avail.
—Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiosity
Noun
-
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That’s probably an affectation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach take turns transforming into floating marketplaces — docks converted to catwalks, hulls polished to reflective arrogance, sales reps who can quote fuel burn like yacht owners care about costs.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
-
College football is awash in problems, including the Big Ten’s unrivaled arrogance, and its never-ending list of demands that would make Notre Dame blush.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With a takeout window and a sprawling open-air patio currently patrolled by the world’s noisiest rooster, the modest spot just west of I-95 has become known as a place for warm comfort food without pretension.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance; and yet a sin, a negation that gave the world the right to sneer at the pretensions of this republic.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Posing on top of an antique vanity and inside a wooden cabinet, Bieber cycled through a parade of sheer lace, see-through mesh, and strappy designs in shades of red, black, pink, and cream.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Store liquids—such as lotion, makeup, perfumes, and skincare—on a tray to protect your vanity table or bathroom cabinet.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Federal officials have declared ICE’s killings lawful and justified over social media without any pretense of a formal review, making statements that are cruel, derogatory, misleading, or simply false.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Investigators say Wilson approached her under the pretense of needing directions.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiosity. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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