Synonyms of self-importance

self-importance

noun

ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s 

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

• arrogance
• superiority
• attitude
• haughtiness
• disdain
• superciliousness
• imperiousness
• pomposity
• pretension
• pompousness
• loftiness
• hauteur
• presumptuousness
• pretense
• assumption
• peremptoriness
• pridefulness
• pretentiousness
• lordliness
• masterfulness
• consequence
• vanity
• bumptiousness
• high horse
• huffiness
• pride
• self-consequence
• toploftiness
• dominance
• condescension
• bossiness
• high-handedness
• snobbery
• snobbishness
• boastfulness
• snootiness
• smugness
• self-assertion
• scorn
• authoritativeness
• bravado
• inflation
• vainglory
• snobbism
• self-satisfaction
• triumphalism
• egotism
• egoism
• chest-thumping
• self-conceit
• self-opinion
• cheekiness
• swagger
• self-centeredness
• self-complacency
• brag
• cockiness
• sauciness
• impudence
• self-content
• braggadocio
• self-contentment
• bowwow
• side
• bombast
• conceit
• complacence
• impertinence
• strut
• vaingloriousness
• cheek
• swelled head
• superiority complex
• self-assumption
• self-partiality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• unpretentiousness
• shyness
• bashfulness
• timidity
• diffidence
• demureness
• self-doubt
• passivity
• submissiveness
• lowliness
• meekness
• unassumingness
• passiveness
• timidness
• quietness
• self-distrust
• reserve
• retiringness
• reservedness
• mousiness

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

• vanity
• ego
• pridefulness
• pride
• arrogance
• smugness
• egotism
• pomposity
• self-satisfaction
• complacency
• vainglory
• self-conceit
• conceitedness
• pompousness
• superiority
• vainness
• self-love
• conceit
• confidence
• complacence
• self-opinion
• self-admiration
• self-congratulation
• self-glory
• amour propre
• self-esteem
• vaingloriousness
• bighead
• assurance
• swelled head
• self-confidence
• self-assurance
• self-righteousness
• haughtiness
• self-assumption
• hubris
• superciliousness
• imperiousness
• snobbishness
• selfishness
• overconfidence
• swellheadedness
• self-assertion
• egoism
• presumption
• disdainfulness
• lordliness
• self-pride
• pretension
• pretentiousness
• self-respect
• pretense
• self-centeredness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• humbleness
• diffidence
• altruism
• unselfishness
• timidity
• self-doubt
• shyness
• bashfulness
• passivity
• self-loathing
• self-disgust
• demureness
• self-hate
• passiveness
• timidness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of self-importance

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

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

Audiences today crave brands that prioritize substance over self-importance, and complexity and contradiction can be the very foundation of authenticity and connection. — Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025