1
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
prideful intellectuals long considered rock music unworthy of serious study
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
at the wedding the prideful snobs ignored their poor relations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in triumphant
having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph
flashed a prideful smile as she received her college diploma
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 prideful
As someone who has a prideful demeanor, this can be challenging.
—
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 26 Dec. 2025
Darcy’s transformation from prideful and prejudiced (and Elizabeth’s in turn) is why the love story works, and why fans love it so.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The chemtrail theory is ultimately prideful.
—Calum Lister Matheson, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
There was no backlash to Ceferin’s words, no prideful defensiveness.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 26 Dec. 2025
Darcy’s transformation from prideful and prejudiced (and Elizabeth’s in turn) is why the love story works, and why fans love it so.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The chemtrail theory is ultimately prideful.
—Calum Lister Matheson, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
There was no backlash to Ceferin’s words, no prideful defensiveness.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prideful
Adjective
-
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Families gave their sons to the military and were proud to do it, and very worried.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Over Your Dead Body is not for the faint of heart, but give or take a rape threat that crosses the line into smug sadism without quite seeming to realize it, the violence lands as more comically cartoonish than horrific.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The ceremony has remained a smug political distraction ever since.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ad turns everyday moments into a triumphant celebration of America — people of all creeds, races, and backgrounds learning in classrooms, working on job sites, and celebrating family gatherings.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Ducks locked horns with a beast from the East and emerged triumphant, 6-5 in overtime, against the Buffalo Sabres in a clash that had four lead changes at Honda Center on Sunday evening.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your partner acts arrogant or entitled.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking ecstatic and dazed, Arkapaw, who’s also the first Black director of photography to win an Oscar, ascended the platform to get her statue engraved beside her young son.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
My husband, although always glad to see me, just isn’t an ecstatic wiggles kind of guy.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Stella crossed the street and loitered outside the store window displaying haughty mannequins flaunting swagger coats.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a version in which Zoro has a vain desire to be remembered.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
-
All her years playing cops were not in vain, though.—
Kemi Alemoru,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prideful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prideful. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
