Arrogant vs. Conceited: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on November 29, 2023
Arrogant is displaying an overbearing sense of one's importance or abilities, while conceited refers to having excessive pride in oneself, often without sufficient basis.
Key Differences
Arrogant individuals often impose their views or ideas on others, showing a lack of respect for differing opinions. Conversely, conceited people are overly focused on their own abilities or looks, often without acknowledging their flaws or limitations.
Arrogance can manifest in dismissive or patronizing behavior, where the individual believes they are inherently better than others. On the other hand, conceit is characterized by vanity and an excessive preoccupation with one's image or achievements.
Arrogant people may not seek validation from others, as they are confident (often overly so) in their abilities or status. In contrast, conceited individuals often crave admiration and recognition from those around them.
In arrogance, there is often a lack of empathy and an inability to appreciate others' contributions. Conceited individuals, while self-absorbed, may still seek social approval and can be sensitive to how they are perceived by others.
Arrogant behavior can be a defense mechanism to hide insecurities, whereas conceit usually stems from a genuine but inflated self-view, often ignoring any evidence to the contrary.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Attitude
Often based on perceived superiority
Based on an exaggerated sense of self-worth
Social Interaction
May not seek approval, dismissive
Seeks admiration, often vain
Self-awareness
Low, with little regard for others' views
High, but skewed towards self-praise
Underlying Emotion
Can be insecurity masked as superiority
Rooted in vanity and self-obsession
Impact on Relationships
Often alienating, seen as unapproachable
Can be off-putting, perceived as shallow
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Arrogant and Conceited Definitions
Arrogant
Overly assertive or presumptuous;
His arrogant tone made it clear he felt superior.
Conceited
Focused on self-admiration;
The actress's conceited behavior was off-putting to her co-stars.
Arrogant
Lacking respect for others' opinions;
She was arrogant in dismissing all suggestions.
Conceited
Excessively proud of oneself;
His conceited manner was evident in every boastful story.
Arrogant
Overconfident in one's abilities;
His arrogant belief in his invincibility led to his downfall.
Conceited
Overly interested in one's own abilities or looks;
She was conceited about her achievements, talking of little else.
Arrogant
Exhibiting a sense of entitlement;
The CEO's arrogant demands alienated the staff.
Conceited
Having an inflated self-image;
His conceited attitude made him ignore constructive criticism.
Arrogant
Displaying a disdainful attitude;
His arrogant dismissal of the critics irked many.
Conceited
Displaying arrogance based on superficial traits;
Her conceited comments about her appearance were frequent.
Arrogant
Having or displaying excessive pride in oneself or an excessive sense of self-importance.
Conceited
Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of oneself; vain.
Arrogant
Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority over others
An arrogant contempt for the weak.
Conceited
Having an excessively favourable opinion of one's abilities, appearance, etc.; egotistical and vain.
Arrogant
Having excessive pride in oneself, often with contempt or disrespect for others.
Conceited
Having an ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
Arrogant
Making, or having the disposition to make, exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of importance; assuming; haughty; - applied to persons.
Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate.
Conceited
(obsolete) Endowed with fancy or imagination.
Arrogant
Containing arrogance; marked with arrogance; proceeding from undue claims or self-importance; - applied to things; as, arrogant pretensions or behavior.
Conceited
(obsolete) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
Arrogant
Having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride;
An arrogant official
Arrogant claims
Chesty as a peacock
Conceited
Simple past tense and past participle of conceit
Conceited
Endowed with fancy or imagination.
He was . . . pleasantly conceited, and sharp of wit.
Conceited
Entertaining a flattering opinion of one's self; vain.
If you think me too conceitedOr to passion quickly heated.
Conceited of their own wit, science, and politeness.
Conceited
Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
A conceited chair to sleep in.
Conceited
Characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance;
A conceited fool
An attitude of self-conceited arrogance
An egotistical disregard of others
So swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty
Growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary
Vain about her clothes
FAQs
Can arrogance be mistaken for confidence?
Yes, arrogance can sometimes be mistaken for confidence, but it lacks the humility present in true confidence.
Does arrogance stem from insecurity?
Often, arrogance can be a cover for deep-seated insecurities or self-doubt.
What defines an arrogant person?
An arrogant person exhibits overconfidence and a sense of superiority over others.
Can arrogant people be empathetic?
It's rare, as arrogance often involves a lack of empathy and understanding of others' perspectives.
Can arrogance be a positive trait?
While confidence is positive, arrogance, with its disregard for others, is generally negative.
How does arrogance affect relationships?
Arrogance can strain relationships due to its inherent lack of respect and empathy.
Can arrogant behavior be changed?
With self-awareness and effort, arrogant behavior can be modified towards more positive traits.
Is arrogance always negative?
Typically, arrogance is viewed negatively as it involves disrespecting or undervaluing others.
Is conceit focused more on abilities or appearance?
Conceit can focus on either, but it often leans towards physical appearance or superficial traits.
Can conceit be a defense mechanism?
Sometimes, it can be used to mask insecurities or a fragile self-esteem.
Can a conceited person be humble?
Conceited individuals generally lack humility, as their focus is on self-admiration.
Is conceitedness linked to vanity?
Yes, conceitedness is closely linked to vanity and an excessive concern with one's image.
Do conceited people seek validation?
Yes, they often crave admiration and validation from others.
Does arrogance always involve belittling others?
Often, but not always; it mainly involves an overestimation of oneself.
What drives a person to be conceited?
Conceit can stem from a need for validation or an overly inflated self-image.
What is the main characteristic of a conceited person?
A conceited person is primarily characterized by excessive pride in themselves, often without justification.
Are arrogant people aware of their attitude?
Not always; some might be unaware of how their arrogance affects others.
How do others typically view conceited people?
They are often viewed as self-absorbed and lacking in depth or genuine interest in others.
Is it challenging to have a relationship with a conceited person?
Yes, their self-centered nature can make meaningful connections difficult.
Can conceited individuals be successful in team settings?
Their success can be hindered by their focus on self over team dynamics.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
