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
-
Trump then reissued congratulations and reiterated how proud the team should be of themselves about the victory.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The vibe was loud and proud, and rightfully so.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Woods kept everyone guessing — a favorite hobby of his — with one word and a smug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What Faries and her team are really building toward is the triumphant return for BlizzCon this September, which will mark the first version of the event under Microsoft ownership after more than two years off.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
-
While West Elm’s candle is no longer available for purchase, ALDI’s version is making a triumphant return to stores.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
My photos that capture Bob in an intense moment, in a happy smiling moment, in a ecstatic leg-up-in-the-air, arm-up-in-the-air moment, those are all my favorite photos.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Lunar New Year meant two ecstatic weeks of gifts, celebration, feasting, family, and friends.—
Natasha Pickowicz,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Oscar-winning British filmmaker crafts a sumptuous bad romance that’s quite haughty, darkly hilarious and ultimately heartfelt.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That Melania was remote, haughty, mysterious, beset by grievance and resentment.—
Katha Pollitt,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Alas for Bankman-Fried, his petitions to Trump for mercy appear to be in vain.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Robbie, who proved her deadpan comedic acting chops in Barbie, is a joy as the flighty, vain, fast-talking Cathy, totally lacking in self-awareness.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prideful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prideful. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
