Synonyms of proud

proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d 

1

as in arrogant

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself

the unemployed woman was too proud to take a job as a maid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• haughty
• superior
• prideful
• disdainful
• smug
• cavalier
• confident
• selfish
• domineering
• important
• conceited
• lofty
• lordly
• highfalutin
• boastful
• vainglorious
• snobbish
• complacent
• uppity
• supercilious
• dominating
• pretentious
• vain
• egotistic
• patronizing
• swaggering
• condescending
• cocky
• self-satisfied
• impudent
• egoistic
• overbearing
• pompous
• overconfident
• cheeky
• bombastic
• presumptuous
• self-conceited
• sure
• sniffy
• self-contented
• self-assertive
• self-important
• audacious
• saucy
• stuck-up
• brassy
• high-sounding
• bloated
• self-assured
• bold
• self-confident
• bossy
• forward
• overweening
• masterful
• peremptory
• egocentric
• cocksure
• brash
• impertinent
• imperious
• self-glorifying
• self-centered
• high-handed
• magisterial
• presuming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• lowly
• meek
• timid
• unassuming
• shy
• homely
• unpretentious
• bashful
• retiring
• unpretending
• demure
• compliant
• diffident
• submissive
• deferential
• apologetic
• resigned
• ingratiating
• passive
• acquiescent
• quiet
• yielding
• unassertive
• shrinking
• subdued
• reserved
• unobtrusive
• self-doubting
• cringing
• cowering

2

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself

a proud cheerleader who thought she should be treated like royalty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smug
• arrogant
• important
• confident
• vain
• conceited
• domineering
• prideful
• assured
• vainglorious
• selfish
• complacent
• bigheaded
• egotistic
• pompous
• boastful
• self-important
• self-satisfied
• biggety
• egoistic
• self-conceited
• stuck-up
• bragging
• braggy
• consequential
• swellheaded
• masterful
• haughty
• cocky
• overweening
• snobbish
• bombastic
• bumptious
• supercilious
• snobby
• swaggering
• uppity
• superior
• cavalier
• snooty
• disdainful
• self-opinionated
• high-and-mighty
• blusterous
• uppish
• self-assured
• fastuous
• pretentious
• toplofty
• self-confident
• self-assertive
• braggart
• assumptive
• overconfident
• pontifical
• blustery
• chesty
• huffy
• presumptuous
• high-handed
• presuming
• patronizing
• holier-than-thou
• imperious
• condescending
• lordly
• high-hat
• lofty
• self-centered
• peremptory
• self-contented
• self-congratulatory
• highfalutin
• self-affected
• self-applauding
• self-asserting
• self-gratulatory
• self-adulatory
• self-engrossed
• self-promoting
• self-glorifying
• self-dramatizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• timid
• egoless
• diffident
• meek
• uncomplacent
• self-critical
• unassertive
• unassuming
• unpretentious
• bashful
• down-to-earth
• self-reproachful
• shy
• self-distrustful
• sheepish
• self-reproving
• self-doubting
• retiring
• shrinking
• introverted
• demure
• unarrogant
• mousy
• overmodest

3

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception

the old neighborhood was known for its stately trees and proud Victorian houses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magnificent
• glorious
• epic
• imposing
• majestic
• impressive
• wonderful
• massive
• monumental
• grand
• royal
• regal
• heroic
• imperial
• splendid
• noble
• tremendous
• remarkable
• gallant
• colossal
• formidable
• luxurious
• awesome
• grandiose
• operatic
• marvelous
• gorgeous
• extraordinary
• lavish
• terrific
• superb
• stately
• august
• Homeric
• baronial
• stupendous
• monstrous
• magnific
• sublime
• extravagant
• cosmic
• wondrous
• prodigious
• awful
• striking
• inflated
• heavenly
• redoubtable
• pompous
• divine
• princely
• sumptuous
• apocalyptic
• kingly
• lordly
• queenly
• sensational
• celestial
• opulent
• prepossessing
• killer
• resplendent
• overblown
• splendiferous
• palatial
• palatine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unimpressive
• lowly
• average
• ordinary
• common
• unprepossessing
• mediocre
• unheroic
• mean
• unimposing
• abject
• shabby
• sordid
• insignificant
• trivial
• petty
• meretricious
• puny
• second-rate
• trifling
• paltry
• run-of-the-mill
• measly

4

as in triumphant

having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph

in his acceptance letter he assured his soon-to-be boss that he was proud to be joining such a fine company

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triumphant
• ecstatic
• arrogant
• jubilant
• exultant
• rejoicing
• victorious
• prideful
• elated
• exulting
• glorying
• crowing
• boastful
• crank
• euphoric
• cock-a-hoop
• cocky
• winning
• conquering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defeated
• depressed
• dejected
• downcast
• dispirited
• disconsolate
• crestfallen

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proud differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When could arrogant be used to replace proud?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would disdainful be a reasonable alternative to proud?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When would haughty be a good substitute for proud?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When might insolent be a better fit than proud?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of proud?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of proud?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When is it sensible to use supercilious instead of proud?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of proud

The proud Jewish father, who was walking his young son and dog on Monday, also attends Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Yayoi Kusama’s seminal 1969 Happening Grand Orgy to Awaken the Dead at MoMA has been rehabilitated into a proud moment in the museum’s official history, but photos of the event show security pleading with the dancers to leave. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026

As Lubelo takes his final bow to thunderous applause, his mom beams a proud smile at the 11-year-old apprentice magician. — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Certain of them might not make current employees proud yet were indispensable in UPS’s transformation into a global transportation powerhouse. — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026