What does "megalomaniac" mean?
One affected with or exhibiting megalomania.
Megalomaniac
/ˌmɛɡəloʊˈmeɪniæk/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One affected with or exhibiting megalomania.
- Grammar: megalomaniac is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: condemning, egoistic figure, egomaniac, egomaniacal.
- Useful contrasts: descriptive, factual, grounded.
- Usage evidence: The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.
How to use "megalomaniac"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "megalomaniac" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 One affected with or exhibiting megalomania.
"'Well, I don't know him well enough yet to say, but I will admit that if he is not a mere bullying megalomaniac, and if what he says is true, then he certainly is in a class by himself.'"
- 2 a pathological egotist wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Of, exhibiting, or affected with megalomania.
"Often, for good measure, Hitler is given as an example of a megalomaniac person. So, for our convenience, Hitler personifies the illness called megalomania[…]"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "megalomaniac"?
Common synonyms include: condemning, egoistic figure, egomaniac, egomaniacal, grandiose, grandiose character.
How do you use "megalomaniac" in a sentence?
The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.
How do you pronounce "megalomaniac"?
Pronounced /ˌmɛɡəloʊˈmeɪniæk/.
Etymology
By surface analysis, megalomania + -ac, or, by surface analysis, megalo- + -maniac.