What does "narcissistic" mean?
A narcissist.
Narcissistic
/ˌnɑɹ.sɪˈsɪs.tɪk/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A narcissist.
- Grammar: narcissistic is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: egotistic, acquisitive, ambitious for self, armstrong.
- Useful contrasts: altruistic, empathic, humble.
- Usage evidence: Aniq turned slowly at the sound of the needy, narcissistic gurgle that sounded from behind him.
How to use "narcissistic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "narcissistic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
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 "narcissistic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "narcissistic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "narcissistic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "narcissistic" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "egotistic" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "narcissistic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A narcissist.
"Because narcissistics cannot handle failure, they will take great lengths to avoid risks and situations in which defeat is a possibility."
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to the nature of narcissism.
- 2 Having an inflated idea of one's own importance.
- 3 Obsessed with one's own self image and ego.
"Anyone who goes into a voting booth on November the 8th and comes out saying, “I feel a hundred percent great about what I just did in there!,” is either lying to themselves, or did something unspeakable in that booth! And that means, as uncomfortable as this is, everyone has to own the floors of whoever you vote for, whether they are a lying handsy narcissistic sociopath, a hawkish Wall Street-friendly embodiment of everything that some people can’t stand about politics, an ill-tempered mountain molester with a radical dangerous tax plan that even he can’t defend, or a conspiracy-pandering political neophyte with no clear understanding of how government operates and who once recorded this folk rap about the virtues of bicycling."
Adjective
- 1 characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Aniq turned slowly at the sound of the needy, narcissistic gurgle that sounded from behind him."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "narcissistic"?
Common synonyms include: egotistic, acquisitive, ambitious for self, armstrong, autistic, careerist.
How do you use "narcissistic" in a sentence?
Aniq turned slowly at the sound of the needy, narcissistic gurgle that sounded from behind him.
How do you pronounce "narcissistic"?
Pronounced /ˌnɑɹ.sɪˈsɪs.tɪk/.
Etymology
From narcissist + -ic.