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
  • But the Workers’ Party (PT) leader, who was accused of arrogance and of failing to understand the needs of young gig-economy workers, shook up his strategy, said Igor Gielow in Folha de São Paulo.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026
  • McVay and Snead have effectively built a culture of arrogance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • The primary suite comes with its own fireplace, walk-in closet and a spa bathroom with a soaking tub, dual vanities and a separate shower.
    — Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • But for a complexion that suddenly looks lifted, contoured, and a few years younger, Le Lift Crème Riche gets priority space in our vanities.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • Instead, Taiwan has been crucial to maintaining the United States’ technological superiority.
    — LIN CHIA-LUNG, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Together, the developments point to a broader role for the aircraft beyond conventional air-superiority missions, reflecting China’s efforts to integrate stealth fighters into increasingly networked combat operations, reports the Global Times.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • Someone may push an opinion too hard, take credit, or turn a simple discussion into a battle of egos.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Inevitably, the movie is not quite as interior, but Jean-Luc Godard uses each male character’s contentious interpretation of The Odyssey as a reflection of their own egos.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • There’s a lot of pride in winning the conference championship.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Our community is dying; there’s an underlying sense of desperation, grief and pride that can both protect and suffocate out of a need to survive – this film is ultimately a love letter to us, with a sense of knowing.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • To use satire to confirm does not bring with it dramatic excitement and risks a certain smugness of point of view.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The candidate, whose relishing of combative interviews and debates verges occasionally on smugness, was slated to potentially appear on 60 Minutes before the November election, people familiar with the planning said.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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