arrogance
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of arrogance
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin arrogantia “presumption”; see arrogant, -ance
Explanation
Arrogance is overbearing pride or haughtiness. If your friends are constantly complaining about your arrogance, you might want to lose the haughty attitude and try to be more humble. Arrogance comes from the Latin arrogans which means overbearing. If you show arrogance, your pride is overbearing and offensive to others. Arrogance can also be attributed to corporations who fail to take consumer opinion into account and to nations that seem to do whatever they want with no regard for other countries.
Vocabulary lists containing arrogance
The Westing Game
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Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Military-Industrial Complex" (1961)
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Thirteen Reasons Why
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Arrogance, greed and misjudgment were, and remain, enough to do the trick.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
“Greed in the sense of a lifestyle far beyond his means. Fraud in the means by which he achieved that lifestyle. Arrogance in continuing that lifestyle after he was confronted by law enforcement.”
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024
“We need to be cautious and properly prepare our military. Arrogance kills,” Mr. Maxwell said.
From Washington Times • May 11, 2023
Arrogance, cynicism and self-doubt become this Doctor Strange, initially obscuring — and then gradually revealing — his fundamental decency.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2022
"Arrogance, some might call it. Arrogance and avarice and lust for power."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
