Narcissist
nounA narcissist is a person who has an extremely strong and unhealthy love for themselves, often believing they are superior to everyone else. They are typically very self-centered, seeking constant attention and admiration, and showing little empathy or concern for the feelings and needs of others. This excessive self-admiration can lead to difficulties in relationships.
Have you ever met someone who only talks about themselves, seems to think they're better than everyone else, and doesn't really care about anyone else's feelings? That's probably a narcissist. It's more than just being confident or proud of yourself; it's an extreme focus on oneself that often hurts others.
The main confusion is between being confident and being a narcissist. A confident person believes in themselves but also values others and their opinions. A narcissist, however, believes they are superior and often dismisses or exploits others to boost their own ego. They lack true empathy.
Is “narcissist” positive or negative?
“Narcissist” is a negative word. The word 'narcissist' carries a strong negative connotation. It describes someone whose excessive self-love makes them selfish, arrogant, and often manipulative, showing little genuine care or respect for others. It is generally used as a criticism.
Narcissist in a sentence
- “It's hard to have a real conversation with him; he's such a narcissist, always bringing the topic back to himself.
- “She was accused of being a narcissist because she spent hours admiring herself in the mirror.
- “A true narcissist struggles to accept criticism, always believing they are right and never at fault.
- “The leader's decisions seemed driven by his own ego, leading many to label him a narcissist.
- “Don't expect a narcissist to apologize easily; they rarely see fault in themselves or admit mistakes.
- “His constant need for praise and validation revealed him as a bit of a narcissist.
Common phrases with “narcissist”
Words similar to “narcissist” (and how they differ)
An egotist is someone who talks about themselves excessively, often boasting about their achievements, but doesn't necessarily lack empathy or manipulate others like a narcissist might.
“He's such an egotist; every story he tells somehow ends up being about how great he is.”
Conceited describes someone who has an excessively high opinion of their own appearance, abilities, or worth. While a narcissist is always conceited, a conceited person isn't always a full narcissist, as they might not exhibit the same level of grandiosity or lack of empathy.
“She's so conceited, always fishing for compliments about her new outfit.”
Arrogant people believe they are superior and often show this by being overbearingly proud and dismissive of others. A narcissist is often arrogant, but arrogance doesn't always involve the deep-seated self-worship and manipulative tendencies of a narcissist.
“His arrogant attitude made him unpopular with his colleagues.”
Someone who is self-absorbed is preoccupied with their own feelings, interests, or situation. This is a key trait of a narcissist, but a self-absorbed person might just be temporarily focused on themselves due to a personal struggle, rather than having a pervasive personality trait.
“After the breakup, she became very self-absorbed and rarely asked about her friends' lives.”
Vain refers to someone who is excessively proud of or concerned about their own appearance, qualities, or achievements. While narcissists are often vain, vanity is usually more focused on physical appearance or superficial achievements, whereas narcissism is a deeper, more pervasive personality trait.
“He spends hours in front of the mirror; he's incredibly vain.”
Opposites of “narcissist”
Word family
Describes someone or something that shows characteristics of narcissism, like being extremely self-centered or obsessed with oneself. For example, 'a narcissistic personality'.
The psychological condition or trait of having an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself, often including a sense of entitlement and lack of empathy. For example, 'His narcissism made him difficult to work with'.
Where the word comes from
The word 'narcissist' comes from the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus, a beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and eventually died there.
Frequently asked
What does 'narcissist' mean?
A narcissist is a person who has an extreme and unhealthy love for themselves, believing they are superior and constantly seeking admiration, often without caring about others' feelings.
Is 'narcissist' positive or negative?
The word 'narcissist' is strongly negative. It describes someone whose excessive self-love makes them selfish, arrogant, and often manipulative, which is generally seen as a flaw.
How do you use 'narcissist' in a sentence?
You can use it like this: 'He's such a narcissist; he only ever talks about his own accomplishments.'
What's the difference between a narcissist and an egotist?
An egotist talks about themselves a lot and boasts, but a narcissist goes further, often lacking empathy, feeling superior, and manipulating others for their own gain. Narcissism is a more pervasive and potentially harmful personality trait.
Can someone be a little bit of a narcissist?
While some people might show a few narcissistic traits, being a 'narcissist' usually refers to a significant pattern of behavior that impacts relationships and self-perception, sometimes to the extent of a personality disorder. It's not typically used for minor self-centeredness.
What are some common signs of a narcissist?
Common signs include an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, a belief they are special, a lack of empathy for others, and a tendency to exploit or disregard others' feelings.