Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

pompousness

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of pompousness

1 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 of pompousness

arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, pomposity, presumptuousness, pretense (or pretence), pretension, pretentiousness, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority
Words Related to pompousness

authoritativeness, bossiness, dominance, high-handedness

condescension, disdain, scorn

chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness

attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness

boastfulness, bombast, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory

cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity

superiority complex
Near Antonyms of pompousness

bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness

diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness

lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness

quietness, reserve, reservedness
Antonyms of pompousness

humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
2 an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
  • The pompousness of the billionaire was evident in the gaudy mansion he built for himself.
Synonyms of pompousness

bighead, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-conceit, self-esteem, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
Words Related to pompousness

assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence

self-righteousness

arrogance, disdainfulness, haughtiness, imperiousness, lordliness, self-assertion, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority

hubris, overconfidence, presumption

pretense (or pretence), pretension, pretentiousness

egoism, self-centeredness, selfishness

self-pride, self-respect
Near Antonyms of pompousness

diffidence, self-doubt

self-disgust, self-hate, self-loathing

altruism, unselfishness

bashfulness, demureness, shyness, timidity, timidness

passiveness, passivity
Antonyms of pompousness

humbleness, humility, modesty

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pompousness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games