haughtiness
What does "haughtiness" mean?
Haughtiness is an attitude of arrogant superiority and disdain for those one considers inferior. The mental image is of someone literally looking down their nose at others, conveying a sense of cold indifference or self-importance that creates a social barrier. It is a formal, often critical term used to describe behavior rather than a specific personality trait. It frequently appears in descriptions of characters, political figures, or social interactions where someone acts as if they are "above" the situation or the people around them.
"haughtiness" in conversation
Discussing a difficult boss
I can't stand his attitude during meetings.
I can't stand his attitude during meetings.
It's his sheer haughtiness that gets to me; he acts like our input is worthless.
It's his sheer haughtiness that gets to me; he acts like our input is worthless.
Used to describe a specific, condescending behavior in a professional setting.
Describing a fictional villain
The villain's haughtiness was his ultimate downfall.
The villain's haughtiness was his ultimate downfall.
Exactly, he was so busy looking down on the hero that he didn't see the trap.
Exactly, he was so busy looking down on the hero that he didn't see the trap.
Commonly used in literary analysis to describe a character flaw.
"haughtiness" in a sentence
She treated the staff with haughtiness.
She treated the staff with haughtiness.
His haughtiness prevented him from apologizing for the mistake.
His haughtiness prevented him from apologizing for the mistake.
Despite his immense wealth, his lack of haughtiness made him a beloved public figure.
Despite his immense wealth, his lack of haughtiness made him a beloved public figure.
