vainglorious
/veɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/
ADJECTIVE
1. Excessively vain or unjustifiably proud
Having excessive vanity or unwarranted pride, especially through an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, achievements, or superiority.
1.1. Arrogant and conceited self-importance
Describes someone who has an exaggerated opinion of their own importance, abilities, or achievements and considers themselves superior to others.
Synonyms
- arrogant
- conceited
- egotistical
- egoistic
- egocentric
- haughty
- overweening
- pompous
- presumptuous
- self-important
- self-centered
- self-conceited
- prideful
- smug
- supercilious
- stuck-up
- snobbish
- bigheaded
- bumptious
- cocky
- swellheaded
Antonyms
- humble
- modest
- unassuming
- unpretentious
- egoless
- meek
- diffident
- bashful
- self-critical
- down-to-earth
- unassertive
- demure
Examples
- The leader's speeches were often filled with vainglorious claims of unmatched success.
- Despite his many achievements, the artist remained humble and avoided vainglorious self-praise.
- The novel's antagonist was a vainglorious character obsessed with personal glory at any cost.
- In the face of adversity, the hero's actions were driven by purpose, not vainglorious motives.
- The politician's promises sounded vainglorious, raising doubts about their sincerity.
Related Words
- narcissistic
- self-absorbed
- self-admiring
- self-glorifying
- self-congratulatory
- self-adulatory
- self-satisfied
- self-promoting
- self-worship
- narcissism
- egomania
- egotism
- arrogance
- conceit
- haughtiness
- vainglory
1.2. Boastful and self-glorifying behavior
Describes people or their behavior when they excessively praise themselves, boast about their accomplishments, or seek admiration and recognition for their supposed greatness.
Synonyms
- boastful
- bragging
- braggart
- bombastic
- self-glorifying
- self-applauding
- self-congratulatory
- self-adulatory
- swaggering
- overconfident
- pretentious
- puffed up
- highfalutin
- high-and-mighty
Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- unassuming
- unpretentious
- self-effacing
- self-critical
- down-to-earth
Examples
- The leader's speeches were often filled with vainglorious claims of unmatched success.
- Despite his many achievements, the artist remained humble and avoided vainglorious self-praise.
Related Words
- braggadocio
- bravado
- boastfulness
- boasting
- self-aggrandizement
- self-promotion
- ostentation
- pomposity
- showiness
- swagger
- vanity
- vaunting