Arrogant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈer-ə-gənt/ ar·ro·gant

Meaning & Definition of Arrogant

Arrogant (adjective)

  1. exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance as shown especially by excessively confident or rudely dismissive behavior
  2. showing an offensive attitude of superiority, coming from or characterized by arrogance

Arrogant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude

    "the arrogant young lawyer elbowed his way to the head of the line of customers, declaring that he was too busy to wait like everybody else"

    similar: assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity
    related: authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating, condescending, disdainful, patronizing, impertinent, impudent, saucy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious, complacent, conceited, egocentric, egoistic, egotistic, hubristic, narcissistic, orgulous, prideful, proud, self-affected, self-applauding, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up, self-flattering, self-loving, self-promoting, brash, forward, uninhibited, unreserved, extroverted, immodest
    opposite: humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious
    near: bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy, overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid, acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding, quiet, reserved, retiring

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arrogant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arrogant:

assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, huffish, huffy, imperious, important, lofty, lordly, masterful, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, sniffy, stiff-necked, supercilious, superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arrogant

Words with the opposite meaning of Arrogant:

humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious

Related Words for Arrogant

authoritarian, bossy, dominant, dominating, domineering, magisterial, pontifical, pontificating, condescending, disdainful, patronizing, impertinent, impudent, saucy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering, vain, vainglorious, complacent, conceited

Near Antonyms of Arrogant

bashful, cowering, cringing, demure, diffident, introverted, mousy, overmodest, self-critical, self-doubting, sheepish, shrinking, shy, subdued, timid, acquiescent, compliant, deferential, meek, passive, submissive, unaggressive, unassertive, unassuming, unobtrusive, yielding, quiet, reserved, retiring

Word Forms of Arrogant

Derived words: arrogantly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Arrogant

Middle English arrogant, arragaunt, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin arrogant-, arrogans "insolent, overbearing, presumptuous," from present participle of arrogāre "to lay claim to, claim to possess, be conceited" arrogate

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Arrogant

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrogant

What does "Arrogant" mean?

"Arrogant" means exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance as shown especially by excessively confident or rudely dismissive behavior. As an adjective, it is defined as: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance as shown especially by excessively confident or rudely dismissive behavior.

What is another word for "Arrogant"?

Other words for "Arrogant" include assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty and high-handed. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arrogant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arrogant"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arrogant". Common alternatives include assumptive, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, haughty, highfalutin, high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat and huffish.

What is the opposite of "Arrogant"?

Antonyms of "Arrogant" include humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant and unpretentious. Near antonyms include bashful, cowering, cringing and demure.

How do you use "Arrogant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Arrogant" in a sentence: "the arrogant young lawyer elbowed his way to the head of the line of customers, declaring that he was too busy to wait like everybody else".

Is "Arrogant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Arrogant" is an adjective.

Is "Arrogant" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Arrogant" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Arrogant"?

"Arrogant" is pronounced /ˈer-ə-gənt/ and divided into syllables as ar·ro·gant.