1
2
3
4
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

Try This Instead

For
Try This
a proud nation
a noble nation
a boastful nation
a mighty nation
a glorious nation
a magnificent nation
a proud owner
a pleased owner
an enthusiastic owner
an elated owner
a satisfied owner
a delighted owner
a proud moment
a glorious moment
a special moment
an awesome moment
a happy moment
an amazing moment

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 Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Was proud of winning the school’s first district championship in 20 years. Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025 Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career? Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Ratliff, a Duke alumnus and proud Blue Devil in the drama, is wearing a t-shirt from the prestigious university in the scene, a dream sequence. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proud
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But my in-laws seemed not to catch this smug look of his, and when my mother-in-law excused herself to go to the bathroom, my father-in-law took the opportunity to go over to his desk and take out one of his special blue envelopes.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Their odd-couple pairing became a magnificent slow burn of hatred into grudging respect into genuine affection, making for a tantalizing will-they-won't-they.
    Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • These are magnificent achievements that propel Hellebuyck beyond back-to-back Vezina Trophy consideration and into Hart territory while proving that Connor and Scheifele can score while playing better defence than earlier in their careers.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There had been plenty of triumphant patron responses at that point in the day.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The foreshadowing of their downfall is more interesting than anything else Porsha is bringing to the show in what was supposed to be her triumphant return.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Most Democrats and independents — 82% and 54%, respectively — said Trump was disdainful to Zelenskyy, while just 19% of Republicans thought the same.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Danielle Haim sings, more disdainful than saddened by the dissolution at the heart of the single.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This Milan Design Week was an important one for Louis Vuitton.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That’s important to bring out the best in the people around you.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This extraordinary group rallied together for a single glorious vision: to win four straight playoff games against the finest teams in college football.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • To Step Down As Managing Director Of Singapore’s Hotel Properties The quarter-final marathon against Arthur Fils was the best of the bunch, a captivating young twentysomething match-up of warrior spirits that was reminiscent of Alcaraz’s defeat by Musetti back in that glorious encounter in Germany.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Fans were ecstatic to find out Elliot’s middle name ties to his grandpa, along with his initials being EMM.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Love Island season 6 winner, 25, was ecstatic to hear Ellen Pompeo is a big fan of her relationship with Kordell Beckham.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proud. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proud

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!