megalomaniac
Other forms: megalomaniacs
If you seriously think you’re the only person smart enough to solve the financial crisis, and you demand to be put in charge, people will think you’re a megalomaniac.
A megalomaniac is a pathological egotist, that is, someone with a psychological disorder with symptoms like delusions of grandeur and an obsession with power. We also use the word megalomaniac more informally for people who behave as if they're convinced of their absolute power and greatness. Your garden-variety egomaniac might be self-centered and overconfident but he's a little softy compared with the megalomaniac who wants to control the world.
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a pathological egotist
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Vocabulary lists containing megalomaniac
Learn these words derived from the Greek word mania, meaning "madness or frenzy," as well as "passion and enthusiasm."
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