1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-importance
There’s also a broader cultural undercurrent shaping all of this—a down-to-earth atmosphere that resists hierarchy and self-importance.
—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Ego, in his framework, is not swagger or self-importance.
—
Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
This population crisis feeds into a post-imperial syndrome, where the decline of empire and power status invokes a sense of loss of self-importance that gives rise to resentment and an unwavering commitment to retain great power status.
—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Sonny was married for more than 40 years to his beloved Margo — who, as was often the case of the wives of famous/infamous men, knew exactly how and when to best burst his occasional balloon of self-importance and puffery.
—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
The show brought blockbuster buzz for its first season from the start and the Emmys ate it up, whether because of Hollywood’s love for stories about itself (with A-list guest stars) or the television industry’s love for stories that mock the self-importance of movie people.
—
Andrew Dalton,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
We’d sometimes get threatened, and that only inflated our self-importance.
—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Late-night show hosts now have an attitude of self-importance, congratulating themselves for their work.
—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Ego, in his framework, is not swagger or self-importance.
—
Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
This population crisis feeds into a post-imperial syndrome, where the decline of empire and power status invokes a sense of loss of self-importance that gives rise to resentment and an unwavering commitment to retain great power status.
—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Sonny was married for more than 40 years to his beloved Margo — who, as was often the case of the wives of famous/infamous men, knew exactly how and when to best burst his occasional balloon of self-importance and puffery.
—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
The show brought blockbuster buzz for its first season from the start and the Emmys ate it up, whether because of Hollywood’s love for stories about itself (with A-list guest stars) or the television industry’s love for stories that mock the self-importance of movie people.
—
Andrew Dalton,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
We’d sometimes get threatened, and that only inflated our self-importance.
—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Late-night show hosts now have an attitude of self-importance, congratulating themselves for their work.
—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
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Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
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Why does confidence read as passion for a white athlete, but as arrogance for a Black one?
Noun
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Vintage Mirrors Layered on Surfaces Instead of hanging every mirror, try leaning a smaller antique mirror on a console, vanity, or shelf behind other objects.
-
The bathroom had a roomy tub, large shower, double vanity and very good lighting.
Noun
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Critics argued that the message of a White man elevated above both a Native American and an African symbolized racial superiority.
-
Word about Hitler’s belief in Aryan superiority had spread far, and many observers warned of its genocidal, war-bringing ramifications.
Noun
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Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
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Politics, Lander said, didn’t have to be a selfish endeavor driven by ego.
Noun
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There was no plan, no standoff between gang rivals, no battle for pride and respect at 10th and K streets, Mtula Payton’s attorney told jurors Wednesday.
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Aside from hotel-quality designs, the bedding brand takes pride in their fair-trade practices and non-toxic materials, and has earned Fair Trade Certified and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) seals.
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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