arrogance of power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequencyFormal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “arrogance of power” mean?
The excessive pride, overconfidence, or sense of superiority exhibited by individuals, institutions, or nations due to their position of authority or influence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The excessive pride, overconfidence, or sense of superiority exhibited by individuals, institutions, or nations due to their position of authority or influence.
A phrase describing the corrupting psychological effect of holding significant authority, where the powerful begin to act as if they are above the rules, lack accountability, and disregard the needs or rights of others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences. The phrase is used identically in political and academic discourse.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both variants, associated with political critique, historical analysis of empires, and institutional corruption.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American political discourse due to the phrase's association with U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright's 1966 book title.
Grammar
How to Use “arrogance of power” in a Sentence
The {noun phrase} demonstrated the arrogance of power.to exhibit/show/display the arrogance of poweraccused of the arrogance of powera classic case of the arrogance of powerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrogance of power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime began to arrogate more power to itself.
- They were accused of arrogantly wielding their power.
American English
- The administration arrogated the authority to act unilaterally.
- He arrogantly exercised his executive power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically to describe senior management or monopolistic corporations that disregard competitors or regulations.
Academic
A key concept in political theory and historical analysis of state behaviour.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used in serious discussions about politics or authority figures.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields; specific to social sciences and humanities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arrogance of power”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arrogance of power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrogance of power”
- Using 'arrogant power' (incorrect adjectival form). *'The government's arrogant power...' is wrong. It must be 'the arrogance of power'.
- Confusing with simple 'arrogance'. The phrase specifies the *source* of the arrogance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Corruption typically involves illegal acts for personal gain. Arrogance of power is an attitude or mindset—a sense of untouchability and superiority that may *lead* to corrupt acts, but is itself a psychological state.
Yes, but it is a strong, formal criticism. It would be used in analyses of corporate culture or serious complaints, not for everyday minor overconfidence. 'Power trip' is a more casual alternative.
While the concept is ancient, the specific phrase was popularised by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright as the title of his 1966 book criticising American foreign policy during the Vietnam War.
'Hubris' is excessive pride or self-confidence leading to downfall, a broader term applicable to anyone. 'Arrogance of power' is a specific type of hubris that stems directly from holding a position of authority or great influence.
The excessive pride, overconfidence, or sense of superiority exhibited by individuals, institutions, or nations due to their position of authority or influence.
Arrogance of power is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Arrogance of power: in British English it is pronounced /ˈær.ə.ɡəns əv ˈpaʊ.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer.ə.ɡəns əv ˈpaʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
- “Drunk on power.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a king (POWER) sitting on a throne looking down his ARROGANT nose at his subjects. The 'arrogance OF power' connects the trait to its cause.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS AN INTOXICATING SUBSTANCE (leading to impaired judgment); POWER IS A HIGH POSITION (leading to looking down on others).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'arrogance of power' LEAST likely to be used?