self-assertion

noun

Definition of self-assertionnext
as in arrogance

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 self-assertion Jupiter in Cancer amplifies emotional truth, memory, and the need for safety, while Chiron in Aries exposes wounds around identity, courage, and self-assertion. — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Dec. 2025 The song’s use of the native language is part of a longer tradition in Taiwan of dissent and self-assertion. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 Saturn has been transiting the first few degrees of Aries since May 24, bringing fresh momentum to themes surrounding our identity, autonomy and self-assertion. — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Then, as Venus moves into Pisces, the focus shifts from self-assertion to a deeper, more transcendent love. — Colin Bedell, Them, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-assertion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-assertion
  1. arrogance
  2. complacency
  3. self-satisfaction
  4. egotism
  5. vainglory
  6. self-conceit
  7. vanity
  8. imperiousness
Noun
  • Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
  • In Episode 3, Harris discussed the early arrogance of the founding fathers who made proposals for America's independence and questioned who was entitled to freedom.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • Four years later, there’s not a hint of complacency or dejection in France.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Interestingly, extreme cold warnings do not elicit such complacency or skepticism.
    — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of complacency
Noun
  • The situation gets even worse once Bonnie’s concerned parents try to connect their daughter with friends by buying her a Lilypad, a child-appropriate smart tablet in frog-like casing, voiced with slappably perky self-satisfaction by Greta Lee.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of self-satisfaction
Noun
  • But never mind these displays of egotism and tackiness that currently blemish landmarks throughout the nation’s capital, including the National Mall, traditional site of the annual July Fourth fireworks.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • That historical egotism fuelled their headiest ambitions.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of egotism
Noun
  • The conceit is saved from vainglory by the gravity Cage brings to the performance.
    — Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
  • That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Definition of vainglory
Noun
  • The original 1877 building has grown not just to house the museum’s burgeoning collections and encompass its expanding role as an educator, entertainer and research institution, but to project an evolving sense of science’s self-conceit.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 4 May 2023
Definition of self-conceit
Noun
  • Generously sized bathroom with marble vanities, enveloping terrycloth robes, and slippers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • Painting a vanity, using small doses of wallpaper, and styling with art can make a big difference.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • Love this imperiousness aimed at doctors from a hospital bed.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2025
Definition of imperiousness

Browse Nearby Words

self-asserting
self-assertion
self-assertive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-assertion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-assertion. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All