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

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

Chad's government had accused the organisation of failing to curb poaching, an arrogant and disrespectful attitude, and not co-operating fully with authorities.

Read more on BBC

So imperious was Mr. Wilson’s tone and so arrogant was his attitude toward Christianity, the joke circulated that his next book would be titled “God: An Autobiography.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A pair of brothers are also part of his band, one muscular, dim and arrogant, and the other intelligent, sensitive and fat.

Read more on Salon

But like her previous partners, he was arrogant and controlling—“yet another man who was fastidious and grumpy,” Ms. Meltzer writes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The environment ministry said African Parks had displayed an arrogant and disrespectful attitude towards the government, failing to co-operate fully with authorities.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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