1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
restaurant reviews that are written with a pomposity that will leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
his over-the-top trophy mansion should give you some idea of his pomposity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pomposity
Right now, his focus is on doing eight shows a week, while injecting a Big Easy swing to the Major General’s pomposity.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
His boisterous persona was more comical than confrontational, a hot-air balloon of strutting pomposity punctured by his family.
—Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Lacking the pop cultural connection of Vox Lux, The Brutalist’s pomposity becomes unrelatable, if not repugnant.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
Lowden acknowledges River’s aristocratic pomposity but also sees in the character a genuine care for his colleagues and family, particularly his devotion to his aging grandfather.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pomposity
Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
His boisterous persona was more comical than confrontational, a hot-air balloon of strutting pomposity punctured by his family.
—Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Lacking the pop cultural connection of Vox Lux, The Brutalist’s pomposity becomes unrelatable, if not repugnant.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
Lowden acknowledges River’s aristocratic pomposity but also sees in the character a genuine care for his colleagues and family, particularly his devotion to his aging grandfather.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pomposity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pomposity
Noun
-
The problem is that without Humility, confidence easily becomes arrogance, decisiveness becomes impulsive, and expertise becomes a barrier to learning.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
In Polis’ case, so does arrogance.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
All to justify his vanity project.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
-
The director describes him less as a young actor searching for a performance than as someone instinctively in tune with the character’s vanity, insecurity and swagger.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s space superiority systems division, said the company is combining advanced missile defense technologies with commercial-sector partnerships to support Golden Dome priorities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
The threshold for superiority has shape-shifted throughout NBA history.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
By catering to his ego, international leaders can persuade Washington to forget—or at least to ignore—past tensions.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
-
Out of this evolutionary necessity, new ways of leading are emerging based on the consciousness of a connected self, that both embraces the ego and puts it in service of a bigger picture, a higher calling.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Fans can expect this and more on her next release, and all pride aside— a B-sides version of her major label debut, with all due respect.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
3 June 2026
-
Chef Sisca’s personal pride is the classic French omelette, served traditionally with asparagus, French feta, chive and pommes frites or salad.—
Jillian Dara,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
At one point, Catherine and I landed on the topic of smugness as an obstacle to creativity.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pomposity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pomposity. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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