self-importance

noun

ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce self-importance (audio)
Definition of self-importancenext
1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-importance This population crisis feeds into a post-imperial syndrome, where the decline of empire and power status invokes a sense of loss of self-importance that gives rise to resentment and an unwavering commitment to retain great power status. — John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026 Sonny was married for more than 40 years to his beloved Margo — who, as was often the case of the wives of famous/infamous men, knew exactly how and when to best burst his occasional balloon of self-importance and puffery. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026 We’d sometimes get threatened, and that only inflated our self-importance. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Late-night show hosts now have an attitude of self-importance, congratulating themselves for their work. — Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-importance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-importance
  1. arrogance
  2. vanity
  3. superiority
  4. ego
  5. pride
Noun
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nine-foot stainless-steel screens, originally designed to keep fish from swimming into dams, were reshaped into curved, airfoil-like vanity doors.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • One side is struggling to turn military superiority into lasting political gains, while the other may need only to survive to claim victory.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The protagonist is legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, depicted as a young samurai who arrives in Kyoto determined to prove his superiority with the blade.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of superiority
Noun
  • The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, even when the prosecutor involved almost certainly knows something other than justice is in the works, there is a momentum of ego and bureaucracy that is hard to reverse.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • Harris credited his defensive line and said the team takes pride in being a hard team to run against.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In short, Parton may not have claimed to be a feminist, but her feminist fans claimed her just the same — with pride and affection.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pride

Browse Nearby Words

self-immolation
self-importance
self-important
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Cite this Entry

“Self-importance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-importance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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