as in jerk
a person who believes that he or she has unlimited power or importance
Their CEO is a real megalomaniac who feels she can partake in any luxury with the company's profits.
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Recent Examples of megalomaniac
Henry is a megalomaniac and a complete wuss.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
By late 2020, however, Sam Altman himself had come to seem about as trustworthy as the average corporate megalomaniac.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Pierre Bergé called me a megalomaniac and threw me out the next season.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
By late 2020, however, Sam Altman himself had come to seem about as trustworthy as the average corporate megalomaniac.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Pierre Bergé called me a megalomaniac and threw me out the next season.
—James Fallon, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for megalomaniac
Noun
-
No gasoline from water taxis, no jerk smoke from a beach shack, no sunscreen haze wafting off a catamaran day trip.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But with Chase alternating between sunny tour guide and cagey sparring partner, Zenovich manages to surgically separate jerk from unconventional genius, as well as the wounded man underneath.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The cabinet changes come on the heels of both a political pact, recently signed by parties with the prime minister, and the launching of the registration process for those seeking to run candidates in the next elections.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
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For those who can’t jump — or jog, climb stairs, play pickleball or engage in other exercises that involve impact — the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests heel drops, which involve rising to your toes, then slowly lowering your heels to the ground.—
Adam Cohen,
Oklahoman,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Heated Rivalry is okay, but for Connor Storrie clown is more easy.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 Mar. 2026
-
In front of him, idolatrous Republican lawmakers popped up and down to applaud like clowns in wind-up music boxes of old.—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Students are required to bring two full decks of cards including the jokers.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Mas, though, does have a joker in his deck.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Megalomaniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/megalomaniac. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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