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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Recent Examples of vainglorious
Donald Trump’s vainglorious birthday parade masquerading as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army may get drenched in a rainy DC this Flag Day, but the financial sun is shining a bit brighter for some suffering Hollywood vendors.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Not to the founders — three vainglorious men who had been born with the world in their hands and their futures glittering like gold coins waiting to be spent — but to the people of Hartford.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 June 2025
Too many American leaders seem more focused on the vainglorious posturing that too often leads to armed conflict.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Hwang’s vainglorious campaign underscores his later experience producing his next play, Face Value, and facing the death of his father, Henry Yuan Hwang (HYH), a patriotic immigrant and founder of Far East National Bank.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2025
Not to the founders — three vainglorious men who had been born with the world in their hands and their futures glittering like gold coins waiting to be spent — but to the people of Hartford.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 June 2025
Too many American leaders seem more focused on the vainglorious posturing that too often leads to armed conflict.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Hwang’s vainglorious campaign underscores his later experience producing his next play, Face Value, and facing the death of his father, Henry Yuan Hwang (HYH), a patriotic immigrant and founder of Far East National Bank.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vainglorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglorious
Adjective
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Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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Dealing with prying relatives or well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) smug married friends?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Trained as an attorney, Levine is very proud of his accomplishments, launching his FM station when FM was not doing well.—
Richard Wagoner,
Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Nutrition is key to our overall health, and farmers are proud to grow and raise a diverse range of crops and protein for consumers to enjoy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Robbie, who proved her deadpan comedic acting chops in Barbie, is a joy as the flighty, vain, fast-talking Cathy, totally lacking in self-awareness.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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Deliver on defense Boston led the league with 116 errors last year, a source of ongoing frustration for the manager, who has spent most of his tenure preaching the need for lockdown defense on a near-constant basis and in vain.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This isn’t just one self-important critic’s opinion — Berry herself has talked about it.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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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
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But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When a pompous male customer refused to be waited on by a female server, Bass quietly approached the table.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Vainglorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vainglorious. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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