Egoing

English

Etymology

From ego + -ing.

Noun

egoing (uncountable)

1. The act of behaving according to one’s ego; a pattern of conduct driven by self-image or self-importance rather than grounded judgment.
   • Often manifests as insecurity, comparison, fear, or arrogance.

Extended senses

1. Acting with a sense of self-importance; asserting oneself in a self-centered or self-elevating manner.
2. Behaving in a manner shaped by one’s self-esteem or self-image; reacting based on how one perceives oneself.
3. Blatantly ignoring someone or something despite clearly being aware of their presence or question.

Technical senses

1. (psychology, Freudian) Mediating between internal impulses and external reality in a self-referential, ego-driven way.
2. (anthropology, genealogy) Positioning oneself as the reference point from which relationships or social structures are interpreted.

Verb

egoing

1. Present participle of ego.

Usage notes

• Egoing frames the ego not as a fixed entity, but as a behavioral mode or pattern that can be observed and identified.
• Commonly used in informal or reflective contexts to describe reactive, self-centered behavior.

Examples

• He wasn’t actually offended; he was just egoing because he felt outshone.
• The argument escalated quickly once both sides started egoing instead of listening.
• Recognizing when you're egoing is the first step toward responding more deliberately.

See also

• https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ego
• https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/egotism
• https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/egocentric