VAINGLORY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

vainglory

noun

ˈvān-ˌglȯr-ē

Definition of vainglory

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglory

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

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

vaingloriousness

vainglory

vainness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vainglory

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes