arrogance
6 synonyms and 4 antonyms for arrogance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use arrogance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin arrogantia, from arrogare, "to claim for oneself" — the same root as arrogant.
Full origin of arrogance →Frequently asked questions
What does “arrogance” mean?
The word “arrogance” means an excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others. In plain terms, thinking far too highly of yourself, and letting it show.
How do you pronounce “arrogance”?
“Arrogance” is pronounced AR-uh-guhns (/ˈæɹ.ə.ɡəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “arrogance” in a sentence?
Here is “arrogance” used in a sentence: “His arrogance made it hard for the team to trust his decisions.”
What is the opposite of “arrogance”?
The opposite of “arrogance” — its antonyms — are humility, modesty, passivity and servility.
What part of speech is “arrogance”?
“Arrogance” is a noun.
Where does the word “arrogance” come from?
The word “arrogance” comes from Latin. From Latin arrogantia, from arrogare, "to claim for oneself" — the same root as arrogant.
Is “arrogance” a common word?
“Arrogance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?
Confidence is a healthy belief in one's own abilities, while arrogance is an excessive, often unpleasant sense of self-importance that shows disrespect for others. Confident people can acknowledge others' strengths, whereas arrogance tends to dismiss or belittle them.
What is the difference between arrogance and pride?
Pride can be a positive feeling of satisfaction in one's own or others' achievements, while arrogance specifically involves an inflated sense of importance paired with disregard for other people. Arrogance is generally viewed as a negative trait, whereas pride is not always so.
Is arrogance always seen as a negative trait?
Yes, arrogance is consistently viewed negatively because it involves an excessive sense of importance often expressed through disrespect toward others. It is rarely, if ever, used as a compliment.