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pompousness

pompousness

1 7.4
Acting as if you are more important than other people
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑːmpəsnəs/
translation icon : pomposidad
  • His pompousness was evident in the way he spoke, always trying to impress others with his sense of superiority.

Examples

  • In his letters home to his friend Fum Hoam in Peking (Beijing), Lien mocks the pompousness and inequality of British society.

    Academic text (2008)
  • - Pompousness.

  • He's most likely to be found disturbing the complacency of his culture or deflating the pompousness of its symbols...

    Blog text (17)
  • Moving on from ancillary ad hominems designed to deflate your pompousness, let's then re-examine the present case: I stated that I thought Lukas's connection was brilliant; you say it was obvious.

    Blog text (4)
  • The CEO's pompousness made it difficult for employees to approach him with suggestions or concerns.

  • She often displayed a certain pompousness when discussing her achievements, making others feel uncomfortable.

Synonyms

pomposity
vspompousness
6 7.7

A way of acting like you are very important that annoys other people

has identical meaning but differs only in word form
braggadocio
vspompousness
4 9.5

Words that show you think you are better than others without proof

is more about mannered self importance than loud boasting
ostentation
vspompousness
3 8.5

An act of showing off money or achievements to get attention

focuses more on proud dignity and arrogance than material display
pretentiousness
vspompousness
  • Offensive
2 7.7

Acting like you are more important or more educated than you really are

focuses more on inner arrogance and affected dignity than pretense
pridefulness
vspompousness
1 7.4

Feeling that you are much better than other people

leans more toward showy dignity and arrogance rather than plain pride
consequentiality
vspompousness
9.8

Acting as if you are very important in a way that annoys others

is the same arrogant attitude but framed as affected dignity
portentousness
vspompousness
  • Formal
9.8

A way of speaking or writing that seems too serious and showy

is more about self importance and affected dignity than seriousness
uppityness
vspompousness
  • Informal
9.9

A way of acting as if one is better than other people

is broader, covering general affected self importance not only status
conceitedness
vspompousness
7.4

Thinking you are much better or more important than other people

adds a theatrical dignity and manner beyond mere self esteem
vainness
vspompousness
6.9

Being too proud of your appearance or abilities

stresses arrogant manner and affected dignity beyond personal pride
ostentatiousness
vspompousness
9.1

A way of behaving that shows off wealth or style to impress others

is closer to affected dignity and self importance than mere display

Antonyms

27 3.5

Not being proud or bragging about your abilities

3 3.5

Not thinking you are better than other people

How Pompous

arrogance
133 4.8
pompousness
1 7.4
pretentiousness
  • Offensive
2 7.7

Surface Forms

pompousness singular
pompousnesses plural

Morphology

pompousness = pompous (transparent) = pomp + ous + ness

The noun is a regular nominalization of the adjective 'pompous' with '-ness', yielding 'the quality of being pompous'.

Etymology

Pompousness comes from the old word pomp, which meant a public 'show' or 'parade', and the parts -ous and -ness turn that into the quality of being showy. So pompousness means acting very proud and full of yourself, like someone who always wants to look important.