as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
the vainglory that nations have historically shown after they have achieved military supremacy
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Recent Examples of vainglory
The conceit is saved from vainglory by the gravity Cage brings to the performance.
—
Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cuevas excels at spotlighting vainglory, and there’s plenty to go around here.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2023
For all his vainglory, Mitchell was onto something in betting on a race as an aeronautical showcase.
—Michael O’Donnell, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
The best reason to pursue anarchism, to walk that line between chaos and the man, is that none of us is free from greed or vainglory.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
Behind closed doors, people are nervously voicing that the annual grandstanding on stage has shifted too much towards vainglory, rather than progress against staggering challenges.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cuevas excels at spotlighting vainglory, and there’s plenty to go around here.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2023
For all his vainglory, Mitchell was onto something in betting on a race as an aeronautical showcase.
—Michael O’Donnell, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
The best reason to pursue anarchism, to walk that line between chaos and the man, is that none of us is free from greed or vainglory.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
Behind closed doors, people are nervously voicing that the annual grandstanding on stage has shifted too much towards vainglory, rather than progress against staggering challenges.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglory
Noun
-
Over the vanity hung a neon sign in curlicue magenta script.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Here there are a dual sink vanity, a roomy shower, and a soaking tub.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
In an era when youth sports can sometimes feel corrupted by money, pressure and adult ego, the Lee Corso Legacy Fund serves as a reminder of what sports are supposed to be about in the first place.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
And today, as young fighters begin to be compared to him, there is no ego—only gratitude.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
But nothing has replaced the void left by mining, which, though dangerous and poorly paid, galvanized those who descended into the earth with working-class pride and purpose.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
-
For Sandra De Anda, the network coordinator for Orange County Rapid Response Network, which connects immigrants to legal help and runs a hotline to report ICE sightings, the poll results are a source of pride.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The arrogance here, however, is the gunman’s.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The doctor further explained that the traits of a narcissist encompass low empathy, arrogance, entitlement, grandiosity and pathological selfishness.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vainglory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vainglory. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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