Definition
having an excessive love or admiration for oneself, often to the point of being self-centered or self-absorbed.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective.
Synonyms
self-absorbed, self-centered, self-obsessed, egocentric, egoistic, self-loving, vain, conceited, self-regarding, self-admiring, self-preoccupied, self-important, self-oriented.
Antonyms
selfless, altruistic, modest, humble, generous, unselfish, thinking of others.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | narcissisms, narcissist, narcissism, narcissists |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | narcissistic |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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Emily was so narcissistic that she couldn’t focus on anyone else’s problems apart from her own.
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John’s narcissistic tendencies made it difficult to work with him as he always tried to take credit for other’s work.
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It became difficult to maintain a relationship with Samantha as her narcissistic behavior kept pushing people away.
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The boss’s narcissistic behavior was the main reason behind the high employee turnover rate in the company.
Usage
The word ’narcissistic’ is often used to describe someone who has an excessive love or admiration for oneself, resulting in being self-centered or self-absorbed. Narcissism can stem from various factors, such as a lack of empathy, low self-esteem or feeling unloved or unimportant. Narcissistic behavior can affect personal relationships, work-life and general well-being.
The word ’narcissistic’ is derived from the Greek myth of Narcissus who was believed to have fallen in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. The term ’narcissism’ is derived from this myth and was first coined by a psychoanalyst named Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century.
The word ’narcissistic’ is commonly used in the field of psychology and psychiatry to describe personality disorders such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). People diagnosed with NPD have a persistent pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy towards others. They only see their own needs and emotions as valid, which can lead to aggressive and manipulative behavior towards others.
The word ’narcissistic’ can also be used with certain prefix or suffix to create variations. For example, ‘hypernarcissistic’ is a term used to describe an extreme form of narcissism, ‘co-narcissism’ is used to describe the behavior of individuals who are too focused on the needs of a narcissistic person, and ’narcissistic injury’ refers to the emotional reaction of a narcissistic person when their false sense of superiority is threatened.
Overall, the term ’narcissistic’ is a powerful word that can be used to describe a wide range of behaviors, personalities, and disorders. It is an important term to understand since it can have lasting impacts on individuals, families, and society as a whole.