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Snobbishness: meaning, definitions and examples

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snobbishness

 

[หˆsnษ’bษชสƒnษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in social interactions

The quality or characteristic of being snobbish; behavior that shows a belief in one's superiority over others.

Synonyms

arrogance, elitism, haughtiness, snootiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
snobbishness

Used when someone looks down on others based on social status or wealth.

  • Her snobbishness made it hard for her to make friends
arrogance

Describes an overbearing attitude of superiority, often without justification. It is typically viewed negatively.

  • His arrogance was evident when he dismissed the team's ideas without consideration
haughtiness

Describes a behavior or attitude of someone who believes they are superior to others. It's often associated with disdain or contempt.

  • Her haughtiness was apparent when she refused to speak to anyone she considered beneath her
snootiness

Informal; used when someone is disdainful or aloof, often because they consider themselves better. It is commonly used in a light-hearted or teasing way but can also be negative.

  • His snootiness about wine made others feel uncomfortable at dinner parties
elitism

Describes the belief that a society or system should be led by an elite, or upper class, and often involves exclusive or discriminatory behavior.

  • The school was criticized for its elitism, admitting only children from wealthy families

Examples of usage

  • He displayed his snobbishness by constantly name-dropping at the party.
  • Her snobbishness prevented her from making friends with people from different backgrounds.
  • The snobbishness of the elite club members was evident in their condescending attitudes towards others.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the late 18th century, originally used in England to describe a shoemaker's apprentice.
  • Initially, it referred to people who pretended to have high status but didn't, which gradually evolved to imply a sense of superiority.

Cultural Impact

  • In literature, characters exhibiting snobbishness often drive conflict, showcasing societal divides and class struggles.
  • Films and TV shows frequently depict snobbish characters as antagonists, reinforcing the idea that such attitudes are undesirable.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that snobbish behaviors can stem from insecurity, where individuals compensate for self-doubt by elevating themselves above others.
  • Studies show that high social status can lead to a reduced ability to empathize with others, fostering snobbish attitudes.

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, class divisions have often bred snobbishness, particularly in aristocratic societies where social rank dictated behavior.
  • The Victorian era in England saw a rise in snobbish behavior among the newly wealthy, who sought acceptance among traditional elites.

Social Commentary

  • Modern discussions around snobbishness often focus on consumerism, where some individuals look down on others for their lifestyle choices.
  • Online platforms can amplify snobbishness, with people judging others based on perceived knowledge or tastes in content and trends.

Translations

Translations of the word "snobbishness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น esnobismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคนเค‚เค•เคพเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Snobismus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kesombongan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฝะพะฑั–ะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ snobizm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚นใƒŽใƒ“ใ‚บใƒ 

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท snobisme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ esnobismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท snopluk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†๋ฌผ๊ทผ์„ฑ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุชุนุงู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ snobismus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ snobizmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŠฟๅˆฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ snobizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ snobbismi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฝะพะฑะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ snobizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ esnobismo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,078, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.