"Who gets the last word" depends on context: it can mean who has the final say in a decision (an authority), who wins an argument (often someone insecure or stubborn), or it can refer to the word game where the next word starts with the previous word's last letter, with the person who can't think of a word losing. In arguments, the one who "wins" by having the last word often damages trust, as it signifies control over resolution rather than understanding.
Spoiler alert: their conclusions aren't exactly glowing or favorable. The general consensus among psychologists and psychiatrists about people who need to have the last word is that they're either arrogant, or insecure, or angry, or egotistical.
Definition of 'the last word/the final word'
If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision.
Getting the last word means that you win the debate. It also shows your moral superiority.
Face-saving and ego protection: Saying the final line restores a sense of competence or integrity after feeling challenged or embarrassed. Emotional regulation: For some people, getting the last word reduces anxiety about unresolved tension; it's a coping ritual rather than a rational move.
Engaging in arguments with narcissists can be challenging as it is almost guaranteed that a highly narcissistic person will not back down until they feel they have won or had the last word.
Deciphering Last Words through Psychology
Cognitive Dissonance Theory: People strive for consistency between their beliefs, actions, and reality. The cognitive adjustment evident in last words might symbolize an effort to banish conflict and attain cognitive harmony.
By having the final say, individuals might seek assurance that their opinions and knowledge are valued and respected by others. Ego Protection: In some cases, the need to have the last word could be driven by a desire to protect one's ego or self-esteem.
If someone has the ultimate authority on a topic or decision, you can say they have the last word. Even if your teacher listens to student input on which topics she'll cover, she still has the last word. There are several ways to have the last word. Coming up with the final remark in an argument gives you the last word ...
A deep desire to have the last word often comes from a sense of not being heard or not being paid attention to. Also known as having “middle child syndrome” when it's a TV trope, people who grew up overlooked often will go to great lengths to make sure people know they're there.
The last words of a dying person are significant. They can communicate good or ill to those left behind. Because the last words are so final and so revealing of what was uppermost in the person's mind as he was leaving this earth to face his Maker.
to say the last thing in a discussion or argument or make the final decision about something. (Definition of have the last word from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
The word with 645 meanings is "run," according to the Oxford English Dictionary. This number refers specifically to the verb form, making it the most complex word in English, surpassing the former record-holder, "set". Its vast meanings range from physical movement to operating machines, managing businesses, and extending in a direction, a versatility that grew with societal changes like the Industrial Revolution.
Set Boundaries:
It's a basic human need, giving us a sense of security and stability. But for some individuals, this need for control extends into their conversations and arguments. These people often feel that by having the last word, they're maintaining control over the situation.
Having the last word is a common desire for children and adults alike. For children, it's often an effort to exert control in a situation where they feel they don't have control. Parents, however, may see this behavior as defiance or disrespectful.
The 19 Most Memorable Last Words Of All Time
At the end of the prologue before we get into the Quixote, Cervantes ends his authorial note by saying, “Vale,” which means farewell in Latin. The last word of the book is also Vale.
1 Peter 3 says, “Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God and what He says goes.” You may be dealing with a sickness; the medical report says you're not going to make it. That's one word, but God has the last word.
If you have “the final say” it means you have the authority to decide how something ultimately happens or is done. Keywords: final say.
People's last words are often these 4 phrases: What they teach us about living happy, meaningful lives, from an oncologist
Last words have a haunting beauty, often echoing the essence of a person's life in just a few syllables. They can be profound, humorous, or even mundane—each one holding the weight of finality and reflection.
Echolalia is defined as repetition or imitation of another person's spoken words. Echolalia occurs in children with autism, schizophrenia, dementia, catatonia, epilepsy and head injury as well as from latah [19]. However, unlike the other causes, of the echolalia in latah occurs spontaneously only after being startled.