SELF-IMPORTANT Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

self-important

adjective

ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt

Definition of self-important

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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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-important This isn’t just one self-important critic’s opinion — Berry herself has talked about it. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026 Looking elegant as ever, Huppert appears with script in hand, half-reading, half-reciting a long, self-important monologue, written by Rozek. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for self-important

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-important

Adjective

Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of smug

Adjective

Perhaps in the arrogant belief that a war with Iran would quickly end in a decisive victory, the Pentagon did not have cost-effective systems ready to intercept these weapons.

— Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Nick Aldis’ wife Mickie James was ringside, where she was taunted by an arrogant Gunther.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Though Hallegua and Josephai rarely meet, both are intensely proud of their ancient heritage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Spanish-speaking students and staff at Oak Lawn Community High School are proud of their heritage and will share it with the larger community during a festival that celebrates Hispanic food and culture.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

They are expected to become wiser but not louder, visible but not vain, accomplished but not demanding, and well-preserved but not provocative.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026
Where some may see this behavior as vain or egotistical, others may perceive it as bold, self-assured and passionate.

— Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Definition of vain

Adjective

Claire’s elective death therefore remains a problematic choice for some viewers, an act of vainglorious selfishness from a woman who was never terribly nice to begin with.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Melodramatic and vainglorious, moody and capricious, a fidgety, neurotic hypochondriac, Stalin was a bundle of appalling contradictions.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of vainglorious

Adjective

Meanwhile, Johnson reprises his role as Moana's bantering reluctant partner, the shapeshifting trickster demigod Maui, alongside Jemaine Clement again voicing the conceited giant crustacean Tamatoa.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.

— Wayne Parker, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026