The noun arrogance is a commonly used term for overbearing pride or an offensive display of superiority or self-importance. The synonym hubris describes a more grandiose and excessive type of pride or presumptuousness that, in literature, propels a protagonist toward tragedy (a character who thinks they know better than the gods and therefore oversteps their place in the cosmic order will eventually fall, or, more precisely, be punished). In general use, the term does not suggest divine retribution, but it does carry a cautionary weight.

The adjective wrong is used in a few different ways. It can describe something that is not in accordance with what is morally right or good (a wrong deed), something that is out of order or awry (something’s wrong with your computer), or something that deviates from the truth or fact (a wrong answer). That third sense is where the synonym erroneous comes in. Erroneous means “containing error” or “mistaken; incorrect.” This adjective is commonly used to describe flawed reasoning or incorrect information. Erroneous originally described people or things that moved aimlessly or wandered about. While that sense is now obsolete, the idea of deviating or straying from a correct path, albeit a figurative one, still figures into its meaning.

The verb display is one that usually flies under the radar; it means simply “to show” or “to make visible.” A shopkeeper might display a sign in their window. The verb flaunt is much more of a show-off! Flaunt is defined as “to parade or display ostentatiously.” A person who flaunts their wealth actively draws attention to it. The boastfulness baked into this term explains why flaunt is often couched in disapproving contexts. But sometimes the word is used more affirmingly to reject a stigma associated with an idea, circumstance, or behavior.