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
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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
Stepping away from self-importance and vanity could be challenging, so solidifying friendships and partnerships is the best way to handle the New Moon.
—
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 24 Apr. 2025
People high on grandiose narcissism exhibit an inflated sense of superiority or self-importance, a lack of empathy, overconfidence, and entitlement.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Sep. 2024
The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 24 Apr. 2025
People high on grandiose narcissism exhibit an inflated sense of superiority or self-importance, a lack of empathy, overconfidence, and entitlement.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Sep. 2024
The thought was that to meet something with a laugh was the same thing as defanging it, a fearful humor inflated with American self-importance.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The story is a grim reminder that every narcissist needs their own Echo, a loyal admirer who reinforces their delusions and self-importance.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Pritzker and his staff’s ambitions for higher office have contributed to self-importance and a hypersensitivity to criticism, some sources have said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Psychologists call this a hallmark of grandiose narcissism, a trait characterized by self-importance and a deep need for validation.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In the end, the movie delivers an official narrative, sufficiently heroic—with sanitized flaws calibrated to modern tastes for ambiguity and irony, such as self-importance, cantankerousness, even romantic deceit.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
But unlike the relative low-budget kicks of his previous two films, Glass has lots of portentous self-importance that the movie never quite earns.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
Noun
-
The arrogance of economics and its myriad equations, charts and numbers is astounding.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Others were negative traits to avoid, like irritability, arrogance, and combativeness.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Saint Laurent’s Gaby vanity bag and Miu Miu’s suede pouch nabbed the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
1 May 2025
-
The cosmic dateline sounds like a billionaire’s vanity project in an area where the man and his galactic dreams already enjoy broad support from residents and state and local officials.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Murrow worked on Adlai Stevenson’s presidential campaign while at CBS, excusing his partiality as moral and intellectual superiority.—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The three fundamental pillars of relative superiority are: • It is achieved at the pivotal moment of an engagement.—
Chris Harris,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps the defining factor in a rousing year was the Dutchman’s ability to leave his ego at the door.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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An Uncomfortable Situation For Meloni and the Vatican Vatican officials have likely had a difficult time planning the seating for the ceremony, trying to avoid having sparring leaders next to each other and not hurt anyone's ego by not giving them the front row.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Given the strong gastronomy heritage of Spain and pride in local ingredients, almost every restaurant offers local wines, as well as bars and other retail locations.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Young takes particular pride in VJMU’s identity as a Black- and Latino-owned car club, competing as a team in a sport that’s traditionally been dominated by affluent, white participants.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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