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delusions of grandeur

delusions of grandeur

9 9.0
A false belief that someone is much more important or powerful than they really are
  • noun
  • /dɪˈluːʒənz əv ˈɡrændjʊr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : delirio de grandeza
  • He has fallen foul to delusions of grandeur that have destroyed his agenda.
  • get delusions of grandeur
  • suffer from delusions of grandeur

He has fallen foul to delusions of grandeur that have destroyed his agenda.

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Examples

  • Suffering delusions of grandeur.

  • Many celebrities appear to suffer from delusions of grandeur, believing they are more influential than they really are.

  • But he has delusions of grandeur.

  • You have delusions of grandeur.

  • I hate to be the one to break it to you, kid, but your mother has got delusions of grandeur.

  • Anyone who thinks they have more power than the one set above them is suffering from delusions of grandeur.

    Blog text (9)
  • You suffer from delusions of grandeur, something caused by your underlying condition.

  • Perhaps he's suffering from delusions of grandeur.

  • French officials wince at the memory of de Villepin's "delusions of grandeur," which marked France's dramatic but fruitless opposition to war.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Papadopoulos is a jackass—another dictator with delusions of grandeur.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

self-importance
vsdelusions of grandeur
8 6.2

Thinking you are more important than other people

is focused on false status or power beliefs rather than mere self worth
megalomania
vsdelusions of grandeur
  • Specialized
5 9.9

A strong false belief that you are more powerful and important than you are

is a clinical label for false grand beliefs rather than a casual attitude
superiority complex
vsdelusions of grandeur
2 7.2

Feeling that you are better than other people because you think highly of yourself

is framed as specific false beliefs about power not only defensive feeling
grandiosity
vsdelusions of grandeur
  • Specialized
1 7.9

Thinking that you are more important or powerful than others

is more about fixed false beliefs claiming greater power or influence
bighead tendency
vsdelusions of grandeur
  • Offensive
8.4

A habit of thinking you are better than other people

is a clinical false-belief state rather than a casual boastful habit

Antonyms

105 3.8

Being modest and not thinking you are better than other people

To know your own character, feelings, and reasons

How Grandiose

delusions of grandeur
  • Specialized
9 9.0
arrogance
133 4.8
vanity
56 5.6
pride
647 1.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

delusion + of + grandeur

The phrase is compositionally built: 'delusion' means a false belief and 'grandeur' denotes greatness or magnificence, so a learner who knows both words can reasonably infer 'false/exaggerated beliefs of greatness.' The syntactic pattern 'delusions of X' is transparent and has clear equivalents in many other languages, making the overall meaning predictable to learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

The phrase delusions of grandeur may come from the clear image of a person who imagines they live in a huge palace or wear a crown, where delusions are false beliefs and grandeur means great importance. That's why the phrase means 'false or exaggerated beliefs that you are very important'.