haughtiness

USAGE SUMMARY

"haughtiness" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that describes someone who is arrogant, proud or superior. Example sentence: She was accused of haughtiness for refusing to talk to the other students in her class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In both, communitarians have come to blows with cosmopolitans.The communitarian argument, as the responses to Mr Parris indicate, starts with the claim that Britain's political disillusionment stems from the haughtiness of liberal metropolitan elites.

The Economist

"His feeling of offense at Obama's putative haughtiness ('chin jutting out') might be a long-ago-imbibed white southern upbringing bubbling to the surface, but more likely a flailing partisan rage that could just as easily have been directed at a white Democrat," Mr Chait wrote.

The Economist

Both countries draw domestic profit from striking an occasional attitude of haughtiness towards the Americans.

The Economist

Others dislike his thin-skinned haughtiness and infuriating evasiveness.

The Economist

Being the "promulgator of dharma," the king should himself be free from the six passions of sex, anger, greed, vanity, haughtiness, and overjoy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She conveys effectively enough her character's doubts and insecurities as well as her haughtiness and sense of entitlement.

Independent

He went on to admit: "This unassuageable American craving for the British country house is bound to get on my nerves, having grown up in the 1950s and '60s with a Jacobinical rage against the moth-eaten haughtiness of the toffs".

Independent

His portrayal of a repressed aristocrat whose haughtiness hides his growing affection for Elizabeth Bennet earned Firth a devoted following.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, anyway, Dovecote Christian's motto alone ("We Ask the Questions") should have tipped you off to a haughtiness that bars parents even from Parents' Night.

The New Yorker

But Clarke trills and singsongs her lines through a mask of haughtiness or ever-widening smiles.

The New Yorker

He had none of Barak's haughtiness or Benjamin Netanyahu's emotional unease.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "haughtiness" to describe a specific behavior or attitude, rather than as a general insult. For example, instead of saying "He's so haughty", specify "His haughtiness was evident in the way he dismissed their ideas."

Common error

Avoid using "haughtiness" when describing someone who is simply confident or self-assured. Haughtiness implies an excessive and often unjustified sense of superiority, whereas confidence is a belief in one's abilities.

Linguistic Context

The word "haughtiness" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or quality of being haughty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an attitude of arrogance, snobbery, or superiority. Examples show it being used to describe a person's demeanor or the general atmosphere of a place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "haughtiness" is a noun that describes arrogance, snobbery, or a general attitude of superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and usability. As a word, it sees common usage, especially in news and media sources. When you mean arrogance, consider synonyms, as Ludwig suggests, like "arrogance", "superiority", or "conceit" to fine-tune the tone, depending on the situation and you want to avoid implying unjustified self-importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrogance

A general term for an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.

superiority

Emphasizes the belief of being better than others.

conceit

Highlights excessive pride in oneself.

hubris

Suggests excessive pride leading to downfall.

pomposity

Focuses on self-importance and affected grandiosity.

pretension

Highlights an attempt to impress by claiming importance or merit.

airs

Suggests affected manners intended to impress others.

disdain

Focuses on feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect.

superciliousness

Highlights a coolly and patronizingly haughty demeanor.

loftiness

Emphasizes an elevated and aloof manner.

FAQs

How can I use "haughtiness" in a sentence?

You can use "haughtiness" to describe someone's arrogant or superior behavior. For example: "Her "haughtiness" made it difficult for others to approach her" or "The king's "haughtiness" alienated his subjects."

What are some synonyms for "haughtiness"?

Some synonyms for "haughtiness" include "arrogance", "superiority", "conceit", and "hubris". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to describe an object or situation as displaying "haughtiness"?

While "haughtiness" primarily describes a personal trait, it can be used metaphorically to describe a situation or object that suggests arrogance or superiority. For example, "The mansion's architecture exuded a sense of "haughtiness"."

What is the difference between "haughtiness" and pride?

"Haughtiness" implies an excessive and often unjustified sense of superiority, while pride can be a feeling of satisfaction from one's own achievements or qualities or those of people with whom one is closely associated. Pride is not inherently negative, but "haughtiness" often is.