1
as in arrogance
an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims
restaurant reviews that are written with a pomposity that will leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
his over-the-top trophy mansion should give you some idea of his pomposity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pomposity
His boisterous persona was more comical than confrontational, a hot-air balloon of strutting pomposity punctured by his family.
—
Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Lacking the pop cultural connection of Vox Lux, The Brutalist’s pomposity becomes unrelatable, if not repugnant.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
Critics sometimes faulted his performances for pomposity.
—Jill Leovy, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Berry says that Laszlo’s pomposity thrives because no one in the house is willing to call him out on his nonsense.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pomposity
Jim McKairnes, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
Lacking the pop cultural connection of Vox Lux, The Brutalist’s pomposity becomes unrelatable, if not repugnant.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
Critics sometimes faulted his performances for pomposity.
—Jill Leovy, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Berry says that Laszlo’s pomposity thrives because no one in the house is willing to call him out on his nonsense.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 15 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pomposity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pomposity
Noun
-
This silliness, the silliness of his arrogance, was actually funny to me.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
On the dark side, however, Mercury in Leo can spark moments of arrogance and stubbornness.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
The result is an almost weary vanity, in which the author plays himself as if under duress, simultaneously flourishing and folding up the self.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Its offerings—face oils, supplements, vitamin treatments, and serums—reflect a holistic approach to skincare, treating the skin as an organ and prioritizing health over vanity.—
Ian Malone,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Being the world's most valuable company is not a sign of permanent superiority.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
What To Know According to a French intelligence report shared with the Associated Press, Chinese diplomats worked to publicize the downing of Rafale jets during the conflict while promoting the superiority of Chinese fighter aircraft.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Our state and federal politicians must insist on order and basic due process in ICE’s performance of its duties, not the chaos and confusion inherent in playing up to Trump’s enormous ego, tiny vocabulary and constantly flip-flopping orders, statements and media posts.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2025
-
These are the sorts of fantasies that cultivate the delicate, fledgling egos of the inexperienced, giving them enough hope, whether about their good fortune or their capacity to aestheticize bad fortune, to continue into the uncertain future.—
Book Marks
July 3,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
But much to the couple’s pride and relief, the crash didn’t pull the family apart.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
The Children’s Village offers hands-on activities, storytelling, games and crafts that inspire cultural pride.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pomposity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pomposity. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share