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arrogance

noun
ar·​ro·​gance | \ ˈer-ə-gən(t)s How to pronounce arrogance (audio) , ˈa-rə-\

Definition of arrogance

: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about arrogance

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Now consumers risk acting with the same sense of arrogance. — Alain Sylvain, Quartz at Work, "What happens when social media’s “cancel culture” misses the point?," 1 Aug. 2019 To create burdens where Christ did not is an act of arrogance. — David French, National Review, "Whither Evangelical Purity Culture? Thoughts on the Legacy of a Lost Pastor," 29 July 2019 Dismal mismanagement of assets AND unforgivable arrogance - check. — SI.com, "Washed: How Arsenal & the New York Knicks Became the Laughing Stocks of Their Player Markets," 16 July 2019 These hawks, many of whom have never seen combat, seem ignorant to the reality that American aggression and arrogance has frightening consequences, particularly in the era of nuclear weapons. — Lincoln Chafee, BostonGlobe.com, "Lincoln Chafee: The party of peace: Why I joined the Libertarian Party," 19 July 2019 Despite being despised for his brashness and arrogance as a young fighter, Ali eventually became one of the most famous and beloved figures on the planet. — Gordon Marino, WSJ, "‘Smokin’ Joe’ Review: Butterfly Fighter," 24 May 2019 His sin was more of hubris and arrogance than of lost money. — Neil Senturia, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Why deals don't get done," 16 Apr. 2018 While the exact causes of these conflicts are a matter of debate, Pericles’ political opponents in the years leading to the wars blamed him for excessive aggression and arrogance. — David Warmflash, Smithsonian, "An Ancient Greek Philosopher Was Exiled for Claiming the Moon Was a Rock, Not a God," 8 Oct. 2014 The arrogance of conservative judges knows no bounds. — E.j. Dionne Jr., The Mercury News, "Dionne: How the GOP may pave the way for ‘socialized medicine’," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrogance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of arrogance

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for arrogance

see arrogant

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More Definitions for arrogance

arrogance

noun
How to pronounce arrogance (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of arrogance

: an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people

See the full definition for arrogance in the English Language Learners Dictionary

arrogance

noun
ar·​ro·​gance | \ ˈer-ə-gəns How to pronounce arrogance (audio) \

Kids Definition of arrogance

: a person's sense of his or her own importance that shows itself in a proud and insulting way

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