Synonyms for Snobby

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: Snobby describes a person who behaves in a superior or arrogant manner, often showing disdain for those they perceive as less important. This trait involves acting haughty, pretentious, or dismissive based on social status, wealth, or personal achievements. Using specific synonyms helps capture varying shades of this condescending behavior, from mild elitism to overt rudeness. Selecting the right word depends on the context and the intensity of the attitude being described.

Closest Synonyms for Snobby

haughty: This word implies looking down on others with pride. She gave a haughty glance that suggested she knew better than everyone else.
arrogant: Arrogance shows an exaggerated sense of one's own importance. His arrogant tone made everyone feel unwelcome at the party.
pretentious: Being pretentious means acting more cultured than one actually is. The restaurant felt pretentious with its forced elegance and high prices.
condescending: Condescending behavior involves talking down to someone as if they are inferior. The teacher was condescending when correcting the student's spelling mistake.
elitist: An elitist believes they are superior to the common masses. The club was known for its elitist rules that excluded most locals.
high-and-mighty: This phrase describes someone acting superior in an obvious way. She stopped being high-and-mighty once she realized no one cared about her opinion.
superior: Acting superior means treating others as if they are beneath you. He refused to shake hands, acting as if he was too superior.
fancy-pants: Calling someone a fancy-pants mocks their affected style or wealth. Stop being a fancy-pants and just join us for a simple meal.
snooty: Snooty behavior is marked by a dismissive attitude toward ordinary people. The snooty waiter ignored the customer standing in line for twenty minutes.
uppity: This term often describes a subordinate who acts above their station. After years of success, he started acting uppity toward his former boss.
posh: When used negatively, posh implies being overly refined or exclusive. The posh group of friends never allowed anyone from the neighborhood to join.
aristocratic: An aristocratic manner suggests a belief in inherited superiority. Her aristocratic smile felt cold to the struggling artist.

Formal Synonyms for Snobby

supercilious: suggesting an attitude of looking down on others, such as someone who ignores staff at a high-end hotel.
snide: making remarks that seem friendly but are actually meant to hurt, such as laughing while someone trips.
conceited: having an excessive pride in oneself that makes you ignore the feelings of others.
aloof: keeping a distance from people that makes them feel unwelcome or unimportant.
peremptory: giving orders without asking for opinion, treating everyone else as if they cannot think for themselves.
superficial: caring only about things that are easily seen, like judging a book by its expensive cover.
self-righteous: acting as if your actions are always correct while others are wrong.
disdainful: feeling a strong lack of respect for someone, such as refusing to shake their hand.
highfalutin: using fancy language or ideas to impress people who do not understand them.

Informal Synonyms for Snobby

high-hat: Someone acting high-hat treats ordinary people with scorn while looking down on them.
dismissive: She was dismissive of suggestions from anyone who did not belong to her exclusive club.