SELF-IMPORTANT Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

self-important

adjective

ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself a self-important businessman who believed his schedule mattered more than anyone else's

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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-important And women who foreground themselves in any capacity are often perceived to be self-important drama queens, or narcissists. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025 Jeffrey Tambor Known for playing the pompous, self-important mayor of Whoville, Jeffery Tambor also has an esteemed career across television and film. —

Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Not to throw shade, but Aries can be self-important, similarly to how Collins deals with his relationship to others. —

Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025 Putting on a show that’s self-important at worst, familiar and forced at best, this frustrating fever dream (a generous term) offers only a handful of surprises to the average horror fan. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-important

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-important

Adjective

But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026
McDaniels, who cut through the Nuggets’ egos early in the series with fearless words and a smug grin, got the last laugh.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026