as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
his overweening self-admiration blinded him to constructive criticism of any kind
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Recent Examples of self-admiration
Most of the film plays out in something close to real time, and the directors, loath to hurry scenes along, slow the action down with a technical virtuosity that sometimes tilts into self-admiration.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
At first, Oliver meekly and gratefully laps up, metaphorically, the warm milk of affection that the family bestows on him between their rounds of backbiting and oblivious self-admiration.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
At first, Oliver meekly and gratefully laps up, metaphorically, the warm milk of affection that the family bestows on him between their rounds of backbiting and oblivious self-admiration.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-admiration
Noun
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Moradillo sofas, Ethnicraft oak furniture, Inbani vanities, Catalano fixtures and handwoven rugs bring European polish to a distinctly Bahamian setting.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Heightening the conflict is the fact that both the host and the guest are world-famous writers, each with a titanic ego.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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In candid photos and videos shared on her Instagram Stories on June 7, Cuoco revealed that Matilda has embraced a Spider-Man alter-ego while showing off her mini-me’s tennis skills.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Though all eyes will be on North America, the national pride this event inspires – and the staggered start times that will allow fans watching back in their home countries to take in their teams during sort-of-normal hours – will stir incredible excitement and patriotism all around the world.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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From agricultural legacy, alternative modernization and pride in heritage, a lifestyle of independence and historical significance can be witnessed.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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That confidence isn’t arrogance.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
6 June 2026
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As the subtitle promises, their answers are shared with all the vulgarity, pettiness, and arrogance intact.—
Juliet Izon,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-admiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-admiration. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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