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pompousness

noun

Definition of pompousnessnext
1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims offended by the pompousness of the minor official

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 the pompousness of the self-made billionaire was evident in the gaudy mansion he built for himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pompousness Any claim for Swift’s genius should reckon with her lapses into imprecision and pompousness. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pompousness
  1. arrogance
  2. vanity
  3. superiority
  4. ego
  5. pride
  6. smugness
Noun
  • And a stellar Paulson expertly exudes snide arrogance, until Sandra breaks open entirely.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • Two of the usual product tills were transformed into makeshift vanities for about a dozen beauty lovers to test an assortment of serums and creams.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This is small and simple, with a walk-in shower, a vanity sink, and a flushing toilet.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • That result shocked many Germans who had believed their country had developed an immunity to nationalism and assertions of racial superiority after confronting the horrors of its Nazi past through education and laws to prohibit persecution.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • That result shocked many Germans who had believed their country had developed an immunity to nationalism and assertions of racial superiority after confronting the horrors of its Nazi past through education and laws to outlaw persecution.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • Working with her friend and employer Sam (Sharlene Whyte), a boundary-free partnership that zags between deal points and Sam’s marital woes, Alex wrangles author egos and fends off competitors.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The risk of rogue models cannot be held back by blasts of ego.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • The other bill Newsom signed, Assembly Bill 1836, expands the availability of state security grants to offsite celebrations like cultural and religious festivals, marches and LGBTQ pride events.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While developing her next feature, Coppola has spent this retrospective year taking stock, watching with a familiar pride as her own children pursue creative paths.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • That joke, which McNamara hits with a palpable sparkle of smugness, illustrates how deliciously blunt her comedic sensibility is.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even if the movie gets a bit crazy in an apocalyptic epilogue, its picture of bourgeois smugness due for a takedown is delicious.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of smugness

Browse Nearby Words

pompously
pompousness
poncho
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Cite this Entry

“Pompousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pompousness. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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