narcissism
narcissism
Pronunciation
The word narcissism stems from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a hunter who fell in love with his own reflection. Today, it serves as both a psychological term and a common descriptor for vanity.
Phonetic Breakdown
IPA Spelling: /ˈnɑːrsɪsɪzəm/
Syllable Breakdown
nar- (/nɑːr/): Begins with a nasal "n," followed by an open-back "ah" sound and a rhotic "r."
-cis- (/sɪ/): A soft "s" followed by a short "i" as in "sit."
-siz- (/sɪz/): Another soft "s," a short "i," and a buzzing "z" sound.
-em (/əm/): A neutral schwa sound followed by a closing nasal "m."
Word Form Variations
Noun (Singular): Narcissism
Noun (Plural): Narcissisms (Though rare, used when referring to different types or instances)
Noun (Person): Narcissist
Adjective: Narcissistic
Adverb: Narcissistically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Nouns
Narcissism An excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance; in psychology, it refers to a personality trait characterized by inflated self-importance and a lack of empathy for others.
Synonyms: Vanity, egocentrism, self-absorption, conceit.
Antonyms: Altruism, humility, selflessness, modesty.
Narcissist A person who displays an extreme level of self-centeredness or who has been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.
Synonyms: Egotist, self-seeker, boaster.
Antonyms: Philanthropist, humanitarian.
Adjective
Narcissistic Describing a behavior or person defined by a fixation with oneself or a craving for constant external admiration.
Synonyms: Vain, self-involved, haughty, egocentric.
Antonyms: Humble, modest, deferential.
Adverb
Narcissistically Performing an action in a manner that suggests a preoccupation with one’s own importance or desire for praise.
Synonyms: Vainly, conceitedly, egoistically.
Antonyms: Humbly, selflessly.
Examples of Use
To see how narcissism and its variations function in the wild, consider these examples ranging from classic literature to modern digital analysis.
Literature and Books
"The narcissism of small differences is the phenomenon that it is precisely communities with adjoining territories... who are engaged in constant feuds and in ridiculing each other." (Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents)
"He was a narcissist, but he was a narcissist with a mission; he believed that the world would be a better place if it were filled with people exactly like him." (Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake)
Journalism and News Media
"In an era of curated social media feeds, the line between healthy self-expression and clinical narcissism has become increasingly blurred for the younger generation." (The New York Times, October 2023)
"The CEO's narcissistic leadership style eventually alienated the board of directors, leading to a swift and public restructuring of the firm’s executive branch." (The Wall Street Journal)
Entertainment and Digital Media
Television: In the series Succession, the character Logan Roy often critiques his children for what he perceives as their "unearned narcissism" and lack of real-world substance.
Online Publications: "Algorithms are designed to feed our narcissism by showing us content that reflects our own beliefs back at us, creating a digital hall of mirrors." (Wired, June 2024)
Social Media Discourse: Public figures are frequently accused of narcissistically using charitable events as "photo ops" rather than genuine philanthropic endeavors.
General Public and Academic Discourse
Psychology Lectures: "While many people exhibit narcissistic traits when they are young, Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a rigid, long-term pattern that significantly impairs social functioning."
Everyday Conversation: "I had to stop dating him; his narcissism made it impossible for us to ever talk about anything other than his promotion."
10 Quotes Using Narcissism
"Whoever loves becomes humble; those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism." (Sigmund Freud)
"Underneath the so-called narcissistic personality is definitely shame and the paralyzing fear of being ordinary." (Brené Brown)
"The main condition for the achievement of love is the overcoming of one's narcissism." (Erich Fromm)
"Narcissism has more in common with self-hatred than with self-admiration." (Christopher Lasch)
"Narcissism is voluntary blindness, an agreement not to look beneath the surface." (Sam Keen)
"Individuality should not translate to narcissism." (Amitav Chowdhury)
"I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity." (Diana Vreeland)
"Self-awareness is not self-centeredness, and spirituality is not narcissism." (Marianne Williamson)
"Love doesn't die a natural death; love has to be killed, either by neglect or narcissism." (Frank Salvato)
"Narcissism and self-deception are survival mechanisms without which many of us might just jump off a bridge." (Todd Solondz)
Etymology
The word narcissism has a two-part history: it began as a poetic myth in ancient Greece and was later "reborn" as a scientific term in late 19th-century Europe.
The Mythical Root
The word is named after Narcissus (Narkissos), a famously handsome hunter from Greek mythology. According to the legend—most notably told by the Roman poet Ovid in the 1st century—Narcissus was so proud of his beauty that he rejected everyone who loved him.
As a punishment from the gods, he was led to a pool of water where he saw his own reflection for the first time. He became so entranced by his own image that he couldn't leave, eventually pining away and dying at the water’s edge. In the spot where he died, a flower grew, which we now call the narcissus (or daffodil).
The Scientific Coining
While the story of Narcissus was used for centuries to warn against vanity, the specific word "narcissism" is much newer:
First Use (1898): The British sexologist Havelock Ellis was the first to use the term in a clinical sense. He used the phrase "Narcissus-like" to describe a person who becomes their own "sexual object," comparing the behavior to the myth.
Formal Coining (1899): A year later, German psychiatrist Paul Näcke officially coined the German word Narzissismus. He took Ellis’s idea and turned it into a formal diagnostic term.
Mainstream Meaning: It wasn't until Sigmund Freud published his essay On Narcissism in 1914 that the word moved beyond a niche medical term. Freud expanded the definition from a physical obsession to a broader psychological state involving an inflated sense of self-importance, which is how we primarily use the word today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Narcissism
While narcissism is often used in literal clinical or descriptive contexts, it has inspired several common phrases and idiomatic expressions that describe self-absorption.
Phrases Using Narcissism
The narcissism of small differences: A phrase coined by Freud describing the tendency of people in closely related groups to engage in constant feuds over minor disagreements.
Healthy narcissism: A psychological term used to describe a balanced sense of self-worth and confidence that does not cross into arrogance.
A monument to one's own narcissism: Refers to a project, building, or social media profile created solely to feed the creator's ego.
Feeding the narcissist: The act of providing the constant attention, praise, or "supply" that a self-absorbed person craves.
Digital narcissism: A modern phrase describing the obsession with self-image and validation through likes and followers on social media.
Idioms Using Synonyms for Similar Effect
Full of oneself: Used to describe someone who is excessively proud or self-centered.
To be your own biggest fan: An idiomatic way to say someone is deeply impressed with their own accomplishments.
The world revolves around them: A common idiom used to describe a person who believes they are the center of all activity and importance.
Vain as a peacock: A classic simile comparing a person's extreme vanity to the flashy display of a male bird.
To gaze into one's own navel: (Navel-gazing) An idiom for excessive self-contemplation or being lost in one's own concerns at the expense of others.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of narcissism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
