as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a vainglorious woman who always insists on being the center of attention
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vainglorious
The attention to amusing detail is evident throughout, from the vainglorious mayor’s ample display of chest fur to the very long wintry outfit Gary De’Snake wears in snowy conditions.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
All but the most vainglorious architects imagine that their buildings will change in some small way after completion.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The real real thing tended to be rather different: clumsy, ad hoc, vainglorious—and secret.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Here, too, in the Airfix models and the vainglorious LP collection is the solitary self-curation of the only child—the kid who can’t dash from his bedroom to a sibling’s, model or record in hand.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
All but the most vainglorious architects imagine that their buildings will change in some small way after completion.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The real real thing tended to be rather different: clumsy, ad hoc, vainglorious—and secret.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Here, too, in the Airfix models and the vainglorious LP collection is the solitary self-curation of the only child—the kid who can’t dash from his bedroom to a sibling’s, model or record in hand.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglorious
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
Adjective
-
Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Of course, David went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in television with characters who are often arrogant, petty and unlikable by traditional media standards.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The people are so welcoming and friendly and proud of their city And there’s great food.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
-
After three years in the Eurovision wilderness, Romania makes a loud-and-proud comeback with a propulsive blend of nu-metal guitars, angsty melodies, and operatic trills worthy of a hand-horn salute.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
All is not only vanity; all is in vain.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Like other Democrats, Gillibrand also tried in vain to get Hegseth to answer questions about a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary girls school that killed more than 165 people, including many children.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Self-righteous and self-important, priggish and nagging.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
Only this time the interns are boring Gen Z stereotypes (obsessed with TikTok, too sensitive, too emotional, too self-important).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Then give the land back, you pompous charlatans.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
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And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vainglorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vainglorious. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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