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Envato ElementsSome people try way too hard to seem smart, but they end up just making themselves look foolish.
They use big words they don’t fully understand, name-drop obscure references in every conversation, and always seem to be trying to one-up everyone around them. Sadly for them, those people aren’t fooling anyone. In fact, their attempts to overcompensate for their lack of intelligence are painfully obvious to everyone but themselves, especially when they do these things.
1. They use unnecessarily complex language.
You know the type — they can’t just say “use,” they have to say “utilise.” They can’t just say “big,” they have to say “gargantuan.” They seem to think that using the most complicated word possible will make them sound intelligent, but in reality, it just makes them sound like they’re trying too hard. Truly smart people know how to communicate clearly and concisely, without resorting to overwrought language. Simplicity is a sign of confidence and genuine understanding.
2. They constantly name-drop.
Whether it’s famous philosophers, obscure historical figures, or niche scientific theories, these people are always finding ways to drop names into the conversation. They seem to think that referencing something that most people haven’t heard of will make them seem cultured and well-read. But in reality, it just comes across as pretentious and insecure. If you have to constantly remind people of how much you know, chances are, you don’t know as much as you think you do.
3. They always have to be right.
People who are overcompensating for their lack of intelligence often have a pathological need to be right about everything. They can’t stand the thought of being corrected or admitting that they don’t know something. They’ll argue their point into the ground, even when it’s clear they’re wrong. They see being right as a sign of intelligence, when in fact, it’s often a sign of close-mindedness and fragility. Truly smart people are willing to learn from other people and admit when they’re mistaken.
4. They dismiss people’s ideas without really listening.
These people are quick to shoot down people’s suggestions or ideas, often without even fully hearing them out. They assume that if an idea didn’t come from them, it must not be worth considering. They see themselves as the smartest person in the room, and everyone else as beneath them. But in reality, this dismissiveness is a sign of insecurity and narrow-mindedness. Intelligent people are open to new perspectives and willing to give other people’s ideas a fair shake.
5. They try to impress with obscure facts.
Did you know that the average cloud weighs 1.1 million pounds? These people probably do because they’re always armed with a barrage of random, obscure facts to drop into any conversation. They seem to think that knowing a lot of trivia makes them seem intelligent, but in reality, it just makes them seem like they’re trying too hard to impress. Intelligence isn’t about how many facts you can memorise — it’s about how you use and apply information in meaningful ways.
6. They use a lot of filler words to sound smart.
“Per se,” “as it were,” “in essence” — these are just a few of the filler phrases that people use to try to sound more intelligent than they are. They pepper their speech with these meaningless phrases, thinking it makes them sound sophisticated and articulate. But in reality, it just makes them sound like they’re trying to pad out their language to hide the fact that they don’t really know what they’re talking about. Confident, intelligent people speak plainly and directly.
7. They hijack conversations to show off their knowledge.
You could be having a casual chat about your weekend plans, and somehow, these people will find a way to steer the conversation towards a topic they consider themselves an expert on. They’ll hijack the discussion to give a long-winded, unsolicited lecture on the subject, even if no one asked for their opinion. They see every conversation as an opportunity to show off how much they know, rather than an opportunity to connect and learn.
8. They bash people’s intelligence to elevate their own.
Source: Unsplash People who are insecure about their own intelligence often try to make themselves feel smarter by putting people down. They’ll make snide comments about how “nobody reads anymore” or how “people are so stupid these days.” They see intelligence as a must-win game, where they can only feel good about their own minds by dismissing everyone else’s. But true intelligence isn’t about comparing yourself to people — it’s about continuously learning and growing, regardless of what anyone else is doing.
9. They claim to be an expert on everything.
Source: Unsplash No matter what topic comes up in conversation, these people always claim to know all about it. They’ll confidently spout off opinions and “facts,” even on subjects they clearly know little about. They seem to think that admitting any gaps in their knowledge would make them look stupid, so they pretend to be an expert on everything. But in reality, this know-it-all attitude just makes them look insecure and foolish. Intelligent people are willing to say “I don’t know” and learn from those who do.
10. They refuse to admit when they’re wrong.
Source: Unsplash Even when confronted with clear evidence that contradicts their beliefs, these people will twist themselves into knots to avoid admitting they were wrong. They’ll come up with increasingly far-fetched explanations, cherry-pick data that supports their view, or just flat-out deny reality. They see being wrong as a personal failing, rather than an opportunity to learn and grow. But true intelligence requires intellectual humility — the ability to acknowledge when you’ve made a mistake and adjust your thinking accordingly.
11. They surround themselves with yes-men.
Source: Unsplash Insecure people often surround themselves with sycophants who will never challenge their ideas or tell them they’re wrong. They cultivate a circle of yes-men who constantly validate their intelligence and stroke their ego. But this echo chamber doesn’t make them any smarter — it just insulates them from reality and stunts their growth. Truly intelligent people try to find diverse perspectives and welcome constructive criticism, knowing that it’s the only way to keep learning and improving.
12. They use their intelligence as a weapon.
Source: Unsplash For these people, intelligence isn’t a tool for understanding the world — it’s a weapon to be wielded against other people. They use their knowledge and verbal skills to tear people down, to make them feel small and stupid. They engage in ruthless debates, not to arrive at the truth, but to crush their opponents. They see their intelligence as a way to gain power and control, rather than a way to contribute to the greater good. But true intelligence is never cruel — it’s empathetic, cooperative, and constructive.
13. They equate obscure interests with intelligence.
Source: Unsplash These people often latch onto niche hobbies or obscure areas of study as a way to signal their intelligence. They’ll make a big show of reading dense philosophy books in public, or name-drop avant-garde artists no one has heard of. They seem to think that having esoteric interests makes them seem smart and cultured, when in reality, it just makes them seem pretentious and try-hard. True intelligence isn’t about what you’re into — it’s about your curiosity, open-mindedness, and willingness to learn from a wide range of subjects.
14. They use intelligence as an excuse for bad behaviour.
Source: Unsplash “I’m just too smart for these plebs,” they’ll say, as if their intelligence gives them a free pass to be rude, dismissive, or antisocial. They use their supposed mental superiority as an excuse for all sorts of bad behaviour, from talking down to service workers to neglecting their relationships. But intelligence is never an excuse for being a jerk. If anything, true intelligence should make you more empathetic, more considerate, and better equipped to navigate social situations with grace.
15. They think education equals intelligence.
Source: Unsplash Don’t get me wrong, education is important. But these people seem to think that having a bunch of degrees or a high-powered job title automatically makes them smarter than everyone else. They’ll constantly mention their alma mater or their prestigious career as if it’s a stand-in for actual intelligence. But in reality, intelligence and education don’t always go hand in hand. Some of the smartest people I know never went to university, while some of the biggest idiots I’ve met have PhDs. True intelligence is about what you do with your mind, not what’s on your resume.
16. They use big words incorrectly.
Source: Unsplash In their quest to sound smart, these people often end up using big, fancy words completely out of context. They’ll drop a “whom” where a “who” would do just fine, or use “erstwhile” when they really mean “former.” It’s clear they’re not using these words because they’re the best fit for their meaning — they’re using them because they think it makes them sound intelligent. But in reality, it just makes them look silly and out of their depth. A truly smart person knows that clear communication is more important than flashy vocabulary.
17. They think intelligence is a fixed trait.
Source: Unsplash Perhaps the biggest sign of insecurity about one’s intelligence is the belief that it’s a fixed, unchangeable trait — that you’re either born smart or you’re not. These people see intelligence as a static quality that you either have or you don’t, rather than a muscle that can be developed and strengthened over time. They’re so focused on proving how smart they are that they never take the time to actually become smarter. But true intelligence is always growing, always evolving. It’s not about reaching some arbitrary benchmark of “smartness” — it’s about committing to lifelong learning and growth.
