What does megalomaniacal mean?
Megalomaniacal describes a person, organization, ambition, or project marked by an exaggerated belief in its own importance, power, or superiority. The word carries a strongly negative judgment: it suggests not merely confidence or high ambition, but a scale of self-regard and conduct that others regard as excessive or delusional. It is commonly used in political and historical commentary, in journalism, and in criticism of vast schemes or authoritarian rulers. Because it implies an inflated sense of grandeur, the adjective is usually more appropriate when the speaker wants to expose or condemn the behavior than for neutral description. Its usefulness lies in naming a recognizable pattern: the desire to become dominant or to build something on a scale justified by an inflated view of one's status. In a sentence, megalomaniacal can characterize a person's ambitions, a government's plans, or the design of a project. The related noun megalomaniac names a person who embodies such grandiosity, while megalomania refers to the belief or condition itself.
adjectiveHaving or displaying an exaggerated belief in one's own importance, power, or superiority; characterized by megalomania.
- Having an exaggerated belief in one's own importance, power, or superiority; characterized by megalomania.
"His megalomaniacal plan to redesign the entire city was dismissed as impractical and self-serving."
"The authoritarian ruler pursued a megalomaniacal campaign of territorial expansion."
"Critics regarded the architect's megalomaniacal design for the new cultural center as excessive."
Megalomaniacal combines roots meaning “great” and “madness,” turning grandiose self-belief into a single damning label.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of megalomaniacal
The adjective was formed in English in the 19th century from megalomaniac, which in turn developed from megalomania. Its elements ultimately come from Greek megalos, meaning “great,” and mania, meaning “madness” or excessive enthusiasm, with the suffix -al forming the adjective. The same Greek element underlies words such as megaphone, megalith, and megabyte.
Related word forms
How megalomaniacal is actually used
Strongly derogatory and evaluative. It is especially common in political commentary, journalism, and criticism of rulers, institutions, ambitions, or projects perceived as excessively grandiose.
Easily confused with megalomaniacal
Megalomaniacal is the adjective describing exaggerated self-importance or grandiosity, while a megalomaniac is a person who has those traits.