as in arrogant
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Recent Examples of self-aggrandizing
This is, truly, a totally shameless and self-aggrandizing effort on the part of Mayor Trantalis and Commissioner Glassman.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
The author characterizes Huntington Beach itself as an inherently self-aggrandizing, wealthy coastal enclave unrepresentative of broader California concerns, dismissing the notion that this affluent beach town should serve as a model for statewide governance or the state’s future direction.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As well as lambasting Shell, this often self-aggrandizing filing out in the low-tech Santa Monica Courthouse has innocuous cameos by the likes of Ari Emanuel and Jay Penske, among others.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Because, for all its self-aggrandizing mythology, the modern studio system is just a labor force, and like any workplace, when its employees cease doing their jobs, that’s when the product stops coming.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026
This self-aggrandizing aria found a large audience, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first week and topping the charts on Amazon.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Of course, Epstein was a self-aggrandizing criminal.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2025
This debut wasn’t a self-aggrandizing spectacle.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Not for the praise, not for self-aggrandizing satisfaction of a dish made perfectly.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
The author characterizes Huntington Beach itself as an inherently self-aggrandizing, wealthy coastal enclave unrepresentative of broader California concerns, dismissing the notion that this affluent beach town should serve as a model for statewide governance or the state’s future direction.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As well as lambasting Shell, this often self-aggrandizing filing out in the low-tech Santa Monica Courthouse has innocuous cameos by the likes of Ari Emanuel and Jay Penske, among others.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Because, for all its self-aggrandizing mythology, the modern studio system is just a labor force, and like any workplace, when its employees cease doing their jobs, that’s when the product stops coming.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026
This self-aggrandizing aria found a large audience, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first week and topping the charts on Amazon.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Of course, Epstein was a self-aggrandizing criminal.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2025
This debut wasn’t a self-aggrandizing spectacle.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2025
Not for the praise, not for self-aggrandizing satisfaction of a dish made perfectly.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-aggrandizing
Adjective
-
The series has devolved into a hysteria that the young and arrogant Timberwolves feed on since that first quarter of Game 2.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, many thought Tilson Thomas too brash and arrogant to lead an orchestra, and, around the same time, Tilson Thomas fell in with New York’s disco-hopping crowd.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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She’s been warning us since 1818 that vainglorious innovators will destroy the earth.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The vainglorious demands of one man who can’t read a map? Concerned leaders in both parties should explain to the citizens of the United States how much peril Trump is courting.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Demolishes the East Wing of the White House on an egotistical whim?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The social enrichment, the egotistical component?—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And it could be accelerated by the continued rise of angry, resentful, self-glorifying nationalism in many countries.—
Michael J. Mazarr,
Foreign Affairs,
6 May 2022
Adjective
-
Critics call social media posts self-promotion While the president praised her as a fighter, critics called out her self-promoting social media use, including videos showing her in tactical gear at raids with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
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The characters were mostly comic, from shamelessly self-promoting wannabe pop star Scheana Shay to vain rock frontman Tom Sandoval.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And it’s been a very bumptious relationship ever since.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
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In public, Newsom speaks often and openly about his errors, fortifying his image as a bumptious, slightly hapless victim of his own enthusiasms.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The test case—picturing a cow doing ballet—produces a smug bovine pirouetting.—
Elise Broach,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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My math teachers of old are very smug somewhere.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-aggrandizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-aggrandizing. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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