as in arrogance
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Recent Examples of self-aggrandizement
While Garfield’s story — Civil War veteran, farmer, reluctant president — is the stuff of the American Dream, Guiteau’s penchant for delusion and self-aggrandizement is clearly an American Nightmare.
—
Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 May 2026
Too often the main concern is self preservation, or self-aggrandizement.
—Rabbi Dan Levin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Trying to follow his energy, his whims, his insults and his self-aggrandizement practically requires a seatbelt to watch.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Such self-aggrandizement has never been an attractive side of Trump—again, even for many of his supporters.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Long trolling Trump in what many view as the lead-up to a 2028 White House bid by the two-term Democrat, Newsom’s missive comes in all caps and with the over-the-top self-aggrandizement that is common to POTUS himself — which is often the point.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Taking over a large country ought to be done with circumspection and consensus, not the self-aggrandizement and demagoguery of a massive personality disorder.
—John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Coach has never been one to miss an opportunity for self-aggrandizement, and this quote effectively characterizes his three previous Survivor appearances not as failures but as bold attempts to tame a raging sea.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
No World Cup has been less about the self-aggrandizement of the hosts and yet no World Cup has ever been so overtly political as the 1938 tournament.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 May 2026
Too often the main concern is self preservation, or self-aggrandizement.
—Rabbi Dan Levin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Trying to follow his energy, his whims, his insults and his self-aggrandizement practically requires a seatbelt to watch.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Such self-aggrandizement has never been an attractive side of Trump—again, even for many of his supporters.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Long trolling Trump in what many view as the lead-up to a 2028 White House bid by the two-term Democrat, Newsom’s missive comes in all caps and with the over-the-top self-aggrandizement that is common to POTUS himself — which is often the point.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Taking over a large country ought to be done with circumspection and consensus, not the self-aggrandizement and demagoguery of a massive personality disorder.
—John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Coach has never been one to miss an opportunity for self-aggrandizement, and this quote effectively characterizes his three previous Survivor appearances not as failures but as bold attempts to tame a raging sea.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
No World Cup has been less about the self-aggrandizement of the hosts and yet no World Cup has ever been so overtly political as the 1938 tournament.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-aggrandizement
Noun
-
Deficient Humility manifests as arrogance, which can fracture teams and alienate fans.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
His mixture of insecurity and arrogance was eye-catching.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Quintrell is also a fan of color drenching—specifically, the trim and vanity.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
Bathrooms are large, with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities, standard even in entry-level room categories.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
That historical egotism fuelled their headiest ambitions.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Play Now Toni’s blasé egotism is mostly consistent across a film filled with conspiracy, backstabbing, and political fallout.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In Kenny’s mind, the placement was a jab at his old rival’s vainglory: the ultimate satire.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
-
The conceit is saved from vainglory by the gravity Cage brings to the performance.—
Isaac Butler,
The New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2023
Noun
-
After 50 minutes of self-satisfaction, the hero fades serenely into a sunset that Dudamel made miraculously mystical.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
There should be no smug self-satisfaction in the destructive power of bombs and deafening explosions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now in the midst of their best stretch of the season, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough is making sure the momentum does not turn into complacency.—
Tyler Carmona
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
In-person connections come with a higher premium, and getting out provides a buffer against complacency.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s different than self-glorification — that’s about being part of the ideal.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The underlying corruption of FIFA, which runs the World Cup, makes the organization a willing accomplice in his quest for self-glorification.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The demon was largely limited to one expression — smugness — and was inexplicably the only character who spoke Japanese.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns.—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-aggrandizement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-aggrandizement. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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