delusions of grandeur
Believing oneself exceptional
Delusions of grandeur are false beliefs about one's own importance, power, or abilities.
In clinical use, the term describes a psychiatric symptom where someone genuinely believes they have special powers or a divine mission.
More loosely, it describes inflated self-regard: He has delusions of grandeur if he thinks he can run this company.
Obsession with one's importance
- self-importanceExaggerated sense of significance
- vaingloryBoastful, unwarranted pride
- grandiosityExaggerated sense of importance
- self-aggrandizementInflating one's own status
superiority complex · entitlement · self-worship · egomania · self-glorification · main character syndrome · messiah complex · exceptionalism
Excessive self-importance
- overreachingExceeding proper limits
- tragic flawDefect causing protagonist's downfall
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- downfallSudden loss of power
Icarus · prideful · overweening · blind spot · tempting fate · punishment · comeuppance
Severe reality detachment
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- bipolar disorderExtreme mood cycling illness
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- hallucinationPerception without external cause
dissociation · manic episode · reality distortion · magical thinking · erotomania
Unrealistic aspiration
- castle in the airUnrealistic scheme or fantasy
- flight of fancyUnrealistic imaginative indulgence
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- chimericalImaginary and unrealistic
daydream · make-believe · wishful thinking · fool's paradise · head in clouds · air castle · tilting at windmills · Walter Mitty
Judging something too high
- Dunning-KrugerOverconfidence from incompetence
- false confidenceMisplaced belief in oneself
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
- reality checkConfrontation with actual circumstances
rude awakening · miscalculation · emperor's new clothes · big fish small pond · paper tiger
megalomania
Obsession with one's importance
- self-importanceExaggerated sense of significance
- vaingloryBoastful, unwarranted pride
- grandiosityExaggerated sense of importance
self-aggrandizement · superiority complex · entitlement · self-worship · egomania · self-glorification · main character syndrome · messiah complex · exceptionalism
arrogance
Excessive self-importance
- overreachingExceeding proper limits
- tragic flawDefect causing protagonist's downfall
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
downfall · Icarus · prideful · overweening · blind spot · tempting fate · punishment · comeuppance
psychosis
Severe reality detachment
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- bipolar disorderExtreme mood cycling illness
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
hallucination · dissociation · manic episode · reality distortion · magical thinking · erotomania
pipe dream
Unrealistic aspiration
- castle in the airUnrealistic scheme or fantasy
- flight of fancyUnrealistic imaginative indulgence
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
chimerical · daydream · make-believe · wishful thinking · fool's paradise · head in clouds · air castle · tilting at windmills · Walter Mitty · world domination
overestimation
Judging something too high
- Dunning-KrugerOverconfidence from incompetence
- false confidenceMisplaced belief in oneself
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
reality check · rude awakening · miscalculation · emperor's new clothes · big fish small pond · paper tiger
- megalomaniamegalomania, grandiosity, messiah complex, savior complex, egomania
- delusionsparanoia, erotomania, persecution complex, grandiosity, nihilism
- self-deceptiondenial, wishful thinking, rationalization, willful blindness, false belief
delusions of grandeurself-awareness
Insight into one's psyche
self-knowledge · lucidity · clear-sightedness · groundedness · level-headedness
delusions of grandeurinferiority complex
Chronic sense of inadequacy
low self-esteem · self-loathing · imposter syndrome · self-deprecation · inadequacy
grandeur, delusion, delusions, delusive, delusional, self-delusion