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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prideful
There was no backlash to Ceferin’s words, no prideful defensiveness.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our elderly are hurting & too prideful to say anything.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He was too hurt to go, and probably too prideful.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
For the Connecticut Sun and its fans, the past is prideful, the future is murky.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Our elderly are hurting & too prideful to say anything.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He was too hurt to go, and probably too prideful.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
For the Connecticut Sun and its fans, the past is prideful, the future is murky.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prideful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prideful
Adjective
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But the reaction is just as vast, and even more persistent, Angela was proud to tell me about Moon Palace’s place as a node in a larger community network.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Now 32, the Canadian is the proud owner of 25 X Games medals, including 14 gold total and eight in the slopestyle discipline.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But that poem is no smug cliché.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Marcello is looking especially smug and evil in this scene for reasons unclear.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Éomer’s exile from Rohan and eventual return during the battle of Helm’s Deep in Two Towers felt more emotional and triumphant.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The euphonium, a tenor tuba, shifts among moods solemn, restless, agitated, triumphant and reflective.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
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Spock is this brilliant, arrogant, aloof-to-the-point-of-obnoxiousness genius.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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The Shakers, a sect of Christianity named for their ecstatic worship dancing, were nonviolent and refused to fight in the Revolutionary War upon settling in Upstate New York.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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Here, Seyfried captures the inner conflict of Ann Lee’s torment and trauma along with the ecstatic release of her religious practice.—
Mark Olsen,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Wiig says, referring to the classic TV sitcom of the 1960s and ‘70s that starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, a witch who marries a mortal man, Darrin, much to her haughty mother, Endora’s, chagrin.—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
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Indeed, these tales characterize Jesus as a rather haughty boy, conscious of his divinity and not happy with those who treat him as a mere child.—
Mary Dzon,
The Conversation,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Their efforts were not in vain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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My vain hope today is to convince my newfound anti-Trump allies (who have disliked my years of writing against progressive policies) to view the current national nightmare as a teachable moment.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prideful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prideful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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