feeling of entitlement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of entitlement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's belief that they deserve certain privileges or special treatment. Example: "His constant complaints about not receiving a promotion stem from his feeling of entitlement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"But people who win competitions feel more entitled, and that feeling of entitlement is what predicts dishonesty".

Independent

"There's a bit of an underlying feeling of entitlement.

The Guardian - Money

It's that whole feeling of entitlement they have.

The New York Times

"You can't underestimate the feeling of entitlement for that corner office," he said.

The New York Times

"The Europeans have a certain recklessness about them now, a feeling of entitlement," Burke said.

The New York Times - Sports

This can lead to a feeling of entitlement in negotiation, which may cause the negotiator to expect too much from the bargaining process.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Most people would rather be full of gratitude than prone to feelings of entitlement or resentment.

University of California, Berkeley

Passengers with feelings of entitlement bump up against new no-frills policies.

The New York Times

Power, however, isn't the only source for feelings of entitlement.

The New Yorker

In contrast, feelings of entitlement make it easy to slack off.

Harvard Business Review

The reduced craving and lower feelings of entitlement seen in Pagano's research may result from this same brain kind of brain activity.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling of entitlement" to describe the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and consequences of this feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of entitlement" when describing legitimate expectations based on agreements or earned merit. Instead, reserve this phrase for situations where the perceived entitlement is disproportionate to actual contributions or agreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of entitlement" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it describes a state of mind or attitude. It can be used to identify a specific cause of action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of entitlement" describes the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment, often without justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's neutral register and its role in describing and analyzing behavior. To avoid misinterpretations, it's important to distinguish a "feeling of entitlement" from justified expectations based on merit or agreement. When crafting content, it's advisable to use other options such as "sense of deservingness" or "presumption of privilege" to adapt the tone and perspective to the target audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expectation of preferential treatment

More explicitly describes the anticipation of being favored over others.

air of entitlement

Indicates an outward display or demeanor of feeling deserving.

sense of deservingness

Emphasizes the internal belief that one is worthy of something.

conviction of meriting special consideration

Highlights the deeply held belief that one deserves unique advantages.

belief in one's due

Stresses the conviction that one is owed something.

presumption of privilege

Highlights the assumption that one has inherent rights or advantages.

presumed right

A more concise way of expressing the belief that one has a valid claim.

perception of deserving certain advantages

Focuses on how an individual views their entitlements in relation to others.

attitude of superiority

Focuses on the haughty or condescending behavior associated with entitlement.

sense of inherent worthiness

Connects the feeling to a belief about one's intrinsic value.

FAQs

What does "feeling of entitlement" mean?

The "feeling of entitlement" refers to a belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. It often implies an expectation that one's needs should be met without comparable effort or contribution.

How can I use "feeling of entitlement" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of entitlement" to describe someone's behavior or attitude. For example: "His constant demands stemmed from a deep-seated "feeling of entitlement".".

What's a more formal way to say "feeling of entitlement"?

A more formal alternative is "sense of entitlement" or "belief in deservingness". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is there a negative connotation associated with the "feeling of entitlement"?

Yes, the "feeling of entitlement" usually carries a negative connotation. It suggests an unreasonable or unjustified expectation of privileges, often without a corresponding sense of responsibility or reciprocity.