arrogance
noun
ar·ro·gance
ˈer-ə-gən(t)s 
ˈa-rə-
: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions
Synonyms
- assumption
- bumptiousness
- consequence
- haughtiness
- hauteur
- high horse
- huffiness
- imperiousness
- loftiness
- lordliness
- masterfulness
- peremptoriness
- pomposity
- pompousness
- presumptuousness
- pretense
- pretence
- pretension
- pretentiousness
- self-consequence
- self-importance
- superciliousness
- superiority
- toploftiness
Examples of arrogance in a Sentence
He was like a movie star at his high school reunion, muting his arrogance and trying to be a regular guy for old times' sake. He seemed to genuinely appreciate the honor.
—
Carlo Rotella, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2008
This kind of official arrogance is not new, of course, although it is perhaps more common in dictatorships than in democracies.
—Ian Buruma, New York Times Book Review, 17 Sept. 2006
Arrogance is, at once, what an athlete most needs and what fans least want to see.
—Dan Le Batard, ESPN, 15 Mar. 2004
A British expat who could have stepped out of a Graham Greene plot, Twyman makes an improbable Jamaican hero. His self-assurance borders on arrogance, particularly when something is not done precisely the way he would do it himself.
—Barry Estabrook, Gourmet, July 2003
Her arrogance has earned her a lot of enemies.
We were shocked by the arrogance of his comments.
Carlo Rotella, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2008
This kind of official arrogance is not new, of course, although it is perhaps more common in dictatorships than in democracies.
—Ian Buruma, New York Times Book Review, 17 Sept. 2006
Arrogance is, at once, what an athlete most needs and what fans least want to see.
—Dan Le Batard, ESPN, 15 Mar. 2004
A British expat who could have stepped out of a Graham Greene plot, Twyman makes an improbable Jamaican hero. His self-assurance borders on arrogance, particularly when something is not done precisely the way he would do it himself.
—Barry Estabrook, Gourmet, July 2003
Her arrogance has earned her a lot of enemies.
We were shocked by the arrogance of his comments.
Recent Examples on the Web
All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.
—Ben Casselman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
This was the logical endpoint for hockey Canada’s arrogance.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Trump’s Comments About The Panama Canal Trump remarked that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, a statement that evoked arrogance and colonialism in the past.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arrogance 
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Ben Casselman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
This was the logical endpoint for hockey Canada’s arrogance.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Trump’s Comments About The Panama Canal Trump remarked that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, a statement that evoked arrogance and colonialism in the past.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for arrogance
Dictionary Entries Near arrogance
Cite this Entry
“Arrogance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrogance. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
arrogance
noun
ar·ro·gance
ˈar-ə-gən(t)s
: a sense of one's own importance that shows itself in a proud and insulting way
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