driven by arrogance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by arrogance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone whose actions or decisions are influenced or motivated by a sense of superiority or self-importance. Example: "His refusal to listen to others was clearly driven by arrogance, leading to poor team dynamics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The union's general secretary Chris Keates has claimed the academies policy is being driven by "arrogance and ignorance".

BBC

In a conversation about something important, rather than let your reactions be driven by arrogance, anger, fear, cowardice, resentment, vengeance or any other self-centered motives you rise above yourself and focus on learning.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, many selfies are driven by the twin forces of arrogance and anxiety.

Independent

On World Youth Day in 2013, the Pope said "so often, we are driven by greed and by the arrogance of dominion, possession, manipulation, and exploitation".

Huffington Post

Yet so often we are driven by greed and by the arrogance of dominion, possession, manipulation and exploitation; we do not preserve nature; nor do we respect it or consider it a gracious gift which we must care for and set at the service of our brothers and sisters, including future generations".

Huffington Post

It is not difficult to read his confidence as arrogance, and his detractors do, accusing him of high-handedness and being driven by personal ambition.

The New York Times

Cynics are not driven by curiosity but by an ugly mix of ignorance and arrogance.

HuffPost

Corruption, both the obvious kind driven by campaign finance, and the subtler kind deriving from the laziness, complacency, and intellectual arrogance of economists.

Huffington Post

Opposition to the nominee was driven by policy differences, doubts about his qualifications for the role and concerns about his cultural arrogance toward human rights abuses in Africa and Latin America.

HuffPost

Unlike the Nazis, who were fueled by myths of Aryan superiority, the Hutus were driven by an accumulated rage over their lower status and by resentment of supposed Tutsi beauty and arrogance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unlike most countries, Germany is not driven by any great ambition, but rather by the fear that "things could fall apart if they don't hold on to stability," suggests Mr Kornblum.This year's euro crisis brought out both the apprehension and the arrogance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by arrogance", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a pattern of behavior or decision-making influenced by an inflated sense of self-importance, rather than simply isolated incidents of confidence.

Common error

Avoid attributing every negative outcome to "driven by arrogance". Sometimes, mistakes are simply due to incompetence, lack of information, or unforeseen circumstances, not necessarily arrogance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by arrogance" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the underlying motivation or cause of an action or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples where it qualifies decisions and behaviors rooted in an overestimation of oneself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by arrogance" is a phrase used to describe actions motivated by an excessive sense of self-importance, often leading to negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalence in news and analytical contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "motivated by hubris" or "fueled by conceit", the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly demonstrates a pattern of behavior rooted in an inflated ego. Although the phrase is correct, remember that the context matters, and you should avoid attributing every mistake to arrogance. Understanding these subtleties will allow you to use "driven by arrogance" with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by hubris

Emphasizes excessive pride and self-confidence, often leading to downfall.

fueled by conceit

Highlights vanity and an exaggerated sense of self-importance as the driving force.

prompted by haughtiness

Suggests actions are initiated by a disdainful superiority.

guided by presumptuousness

Focuses on behavior influenced by taking liberties and overstepping boundaries.

actuated by self-importance

Highlights the belief in one's own significance as the primary motivator.

impelled by inflated ego

Emphasizes an exaggerated sense of self-worth as the driving force.

inspired by overconfidence

Highlights the excessive belief in one's own abilities as the source of motivation.

led by a sense of entitlement

Focuses on the belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges.

compelled by superciliousness

Suggests actions are driven by a condescending and arrogant demeanor.

influenced by a superiority complex

Indicates that actions are shaped by a belief in one's own inherent superiority.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by arrogance" in a sentence?

You can use "driven by arrogance" to describe actions or decisions motivated by an excessive sense of self-importance. For example: "His refusal to listen to advice was clearly "driven by arrogance"."

What are some alternatives to saying "driven by arrogance"?

Alternatives include "motivated by hubris", "fueled by conceit", or "prompted by haughtiness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey; for example "motivated by hubris" often implies a downfall.

Is it always negative to be "driven by" something?

Not necessarily. While "driven by arrogance" is negative, being driven by ambition or passion can be positive. The connotation depends on the driving force itself.

What's the difference between "driven by arrogance" and simply being confident?

"Driven by arrogance" implies an excessive and often unjustified sense of self-importance that disregards the contributions and perspectives of others. Confidence, on the other hand, is a belief in one's abilities without necessarily devaluing others.