Importance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Related Entry: Self-importance (noun)

Self-importance is a different word from Importance. The synonyms below are for self-importance, not for importance.

1. an exaggerated sense of one's importance that shows itself in the making of excessive or unjustified claims

   "the boxer's flamboyant self-importance often made for a colorful prefight press conference"

   similar: arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, self-consequence, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness
   related: authoritativeness, bossiness, bowwow, brag, dominance, high-handedness, condescension, disdain, scorn, chest-thumping, inflation, self-assertion, side (chiefly British), snobbery, snobbishness, snobbism, snootiness, attitude, cheek, cheekiness, impertinence, impudence, sauciness, boastfulness, bombast, braggadocio, bravado, strut, swagger, triumphalism, vaingloriousness, vainglory, cockiness, complacence, conceit, egoism, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-content, self-contentment, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, vanity, superiority complex
   opposite: humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
   near: bashfulness, demureness, retiringness, shyness, diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt, timidity, timidness, lowliness, meekness, mousiness, passiveness, passivity, submissiveness, quietness, reserve, reservedness

2. an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements

   "her overbearing self-importance has given her a sense of entitlement"

   similar: amour propre, bighead, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-glory, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
   related: assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-righteousness, arrogance, disdainfulness, haughtiness, imperiousness, lordliness, self-assertion, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority, hubris, overconfidence, presumption, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, egoism, self-centeredness, selfishness, self-pride, self-respect
   opposite: humbleness, humility, modesty
   near: diffidence, self-doubt, self-disgust, self-hate, self-loathing, altruism, unselfishness, bashfulness, demureness, shyness, timidity, timidness, passiveness, passivity