PROUD Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'proud' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant , disdainful , haughty , insolent , lordly , overbearing , and supercilious . While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness. // too proud to take charity

Q: When could 'arrogant' be used to replace 'proud'?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. // a conceited and arrogant executive

Q: Where would 'disdainful' be a reasonable alternative to 'proud'?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. // disdainful of their social inferiors

Q: When would 'haughty' be a good substitute for 'proud'?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position. // a haughty aristocrat

Q: When might 'insolent' be a better fit than 'proud'?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness. // ignored by an insolent waiter

Q: When can 'lordly' be used instead of 'proud'?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power. // a lordly condescension

Q: In what contexts can 'overbearing' take the place of 'proud'?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence. // an overbearing supervisor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'supercilious' instead of 'proud'?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness. // an aloof and supercilious manner

proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d

Definition of proud

as in arrogant

having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself the unemployed woman was too proud to take a job as a maid

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself a proud cheerleader who thought she should be treated like royalty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the old neighborhood was known for its stately trees and proud Victorian houses

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in triumphant

having or expressing feelings of joy or triumph in his acceptance letter he assured his soon-to-be boss that he was proud to be joining such a fine company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proud differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proud are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, lordly, overbearing, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When could arrogant be used to replace proud?

The meanings of arrogant and proud largely overlap; however, arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

Where would disdainful be a reasonable alternative to proud?

The words disdainful and proud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When would haughty be a good substitute for proud?

While the synonyms haughty and proud are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When might insolent be a better fit than proud?

In some situations, the words insolent and proud are roughly equivalent. However, insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When can lordly be used instead of proud?

Although the words lordly and proud have much in common, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of proud?

The synonyms overbearing and proud are sometimes interchangeable, but overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

When is it sensible to use supercilious instead of proud?

The words supercilious and proud can be used in similar contexts, but supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of proud Voters can be proud that the law enforcement leaders acted when congressional leaders would not. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 Jones recalled Reales Dominguez leaving Castlemont with huge aspirations, trying to make his family proud. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 University of Michigan Director of Athletics Warde Manuel described the program as the next step in Michigan Athletics' proud tradition of excellence. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Maybe that’s one reason why the locals here seem so proud of their traditional ways. — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proud

Adjective

As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.

— Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of smug

Adjective

Our stay was an attempt to escape the responsibilities and obligations that come with everyday life for a weekend, and this was a magnificent place to do that.

— Felicia Brower, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
But there is something magnificent about seeing a small island elevate and celebrate its own musical vibes.

— Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Adjective

This year, K-pop Demon Hunters picked up a couple of Oscars, the pop group BTS made its triumphant return to sold out crowds, and K-pop took center stage at the World Cup final.

— Ramtin Arablouei, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
Though there are only four awards given, just being a finalist is a triumphant feat.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of triumphant

Adjective

Hermetically sealed tableaux of haughty models daring you to look away from their perfection.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
All of those have sometimes been used to paint Rodgers in a certain way – usually as aloof or haughty in articles that typically were unflattering.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of haughty

Adjective

But before that, the team will hold what is perhaps their most important practice of the fall.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Originally constructed in the 1860s to house two battalions of the British Army, Chelsea Barracks served as an important military base for more than 140 years before being decommissioned in 2008.

— Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of important

Adjective

For years, Coventry had lived a charmed life in the top flight, pulling off a few dramatic escapes either side of a glorious FA Cup success in 1987.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
There's also a glorious opportunity for the crew to unleash their inner WALL-E by floating through space without a spaceship.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of glorious

Browse Nearby Words

protuberant

proud

proudly

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Style

“Proud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proud. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of proud

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Example Sentences

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Articles Related to proud

'Pride': The Word That Went From Vice...

Cite this Entry

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