autonombrarse

Used, often with a skeptical or critical tone, for someone who takes on a title or role without a formal process granting it — se autonombró líder del movimiento. Common in journalism about unelected or self-appointed leaders.

• Se autonombró presidente del comité sin ninguna votación. — He appointed himself president of the committee without any vote.
• El grupo se autonombra defensor de la comunidad. — The group calls itself the community's defender.
• No puedes autonombrarte experto solo porque leíste un artículo. — You can't declare yourself an expert just because you read one article.

Carries an implicit doubt about legitimacy that plain nombrar doesn't — using it for someone genuinely, formally appointed is a factual misstatement, not just a style choice.

Often confused with nombrar.