arrogant

[ar-uh-guhnt]

adjective

1. making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud.

   an arrogant public official.

   Synonyms: brazen, imperious, haughty, presumptuous
   Antonyms: meek

2. characterized by or proceeding from arrogance, or a sense of superiority, self-importance, or entitlement.

   arrogant claims.

   Antonyms: humble, modest

arrogant

/ ˈærəɡənt /

adjective

1. having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance, merit, ability, etc; conceited; overbearingly proud

   an arrogant teacher

   an arrogant assumption

Other Word Forms

• arrogantly adverb
• arrogance noun
• superarrogant adjective
• superarrogantly adverb
• unarrogant adjective
• unarrogantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrogant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin arrogant-, stem of arrogāns ) “presuming,” present participle of arrogāre; arrogate, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrogant¹

C14: from Latin arrogāre to claim as one's own; see _arrogate

Synonym Study

See proud.

Example Sentences

Ethnocentric, rude to others while traveling abroad in their own countries, ignorant of the world, self-absorbed, arrogant, rude — these are the very characteristics of America’s president.

From Salon

Corinthians 12: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.”

From Los Angeles Times

The trial judge described him as "depraved", "arrogant" and a "bully".

From BBC

"Your arrogant and selfish attitude to driving was quite breathtaking," he said.

From BBC

More than once, Sundari gets to school Param and his friend about their assumptions about her state – in one instance, throwing bias back at them about "ignorant, illiterate, arrogant, entitled" north Indians.

From BBC

Related Words

• aloof 
• bossy 
• cavalier 
• cocky 
• haughty 
• imperious 
• pompous 
• presumptuous 
• pretentious 
• smug 
• vain