as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
the vainglory that nations have historically shown after they have achieved military supremacy
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Recent Examples of vainglory
The conceit is saved from vainglory by the gravity Cage brings to the performance.
—
Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cuevas excels at spotlighting vainglory, and there’s plenty to go around here.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2023
More likely, the 70-year-old former cricketer’s vainglory and taste for brinkmanship could tip an already turbulent nation into chaos.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2022
The best reason to pursue anarchism, to walk that line between chaos and the man, is that none of us is free from greed or vainglory.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
For all his vainglory, Mitchell was onto something in betting on a race as an aeronautical showcase.
—Michael O’Donnell, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Behind closed doors, people are nervously voicing that the annual grandstanding on stage has shifted too much towards vainglory, rather than progress against staggering challenges.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
Vidal gives wicked, witty renditions of the infighting, backstabbing and vainglory of such troublesome men as Gen. George B. McClellan, Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase and John Wilkes Booth.
—Katherine A. Powers, Star Tribune, 6 Nov. 2020
Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cuevas excels at spotlighting vainglory, and there’s plenty to go around here.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2023
More likely, the 70-year-old former cricketer’s vainglory and taste for brinkmanship could tip an already turbulent nation into chaos.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2022
The best reason to pursue anarchism, to walk that line between chaos and the man, is that none of us is free from greed or vainglory.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper’s Magazine , 9 Nov. 2022
For all his vainglory, Mitchell was onto something in betting on a race as an aeronautical showcase.
—Michael O’Donnell, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Behind closed doors, people are nervously voicing that the annual grandstanding on stage has shifted too much towards vainglory, rather than progress against staggering challenges.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
Vidal gives wicked, witty renditions of the infighting, backstabbing and vainglory of such troublesome men as Gen. George B. McClellan, Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase and John Wilkes Booth.
—Katherine A. Powers, Star Tribune, 6 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vainglory
Noun
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Shrugging off physical vanity and even declining to correct strangers on their nonbinary pronouns, Gibson retreats from identity in the face of an all-consuming and transformative illness.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
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Whether the room is used for overlapping daily routines or as a space to rest and relax, popular features include separate vanities, dual sinks, and showers with multiple showerheads and plenty of space for two people.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But if the first week of this administration is any sign, my fellow Catholic JD Vance will choose the ego of Donald Trump over the gospel of Jesus Christ.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Every aspect of my being, all of my ego, my insecurities, my strengths.—
Eliza Griswold,
The New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Individuals can take pride in smaller achievements, knowing that their contribution is bringing us closer to the end goal.—
Farzana Abdulhusein,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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There’s a general sense of Chinese national pride for a culture that has long been conceptualized as villainous as a result of government action.—
Steffi Cao,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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All of which meant that when economists gathered in San Francisco this month for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, there was a sense that their famous confidence — critics would say arrogance — had been, if not shattered, certainly dealt a body blow.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
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Relevant reality skills: Rob, while deadly charming, has always played Survivor by putting his confidence (some would say cockiness) and expertise (some would say arrogance) on full display.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near vainglory
Cite this Entry
“Vainglory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vainglory. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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