self-congratulation

noun

self-con·​grat·​u·​la·​tion ˌself-kən-ˌgra-chə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce self-congratulation (audio)
-ˌgra-jə-
: congratulation of oneself
especially : a complacent acknowledgment of one's own superiority or good fortune

Examples of self-congratulation in a Sentence

the air of self-congratulation that pervades the songwriter's memoirs
Recent Examples on the Web Advertisement Autumn also marks the beginning of awards season, a time of self-congratulation, yes, but also better movies. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 Politics disgusts him, the cool conviviality of the club and the showy self-congratulation of the public banquet repel him; since the death of his son he’s avoided making new acquaintances. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Sep. 2024 But beneath its tone of self-congratulation, this consensus account underrates the costs of prolonging the war and overrates the risk of escalation that existed in 1951. Mike Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2023 Maybe beneath the Davos veneer of self-congratulation and cliché there is a democratic realist plotting the renewal of American power. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024 There’s just enough friction to give their banter some grit and take the edge of self-congratulation off these two godlike specimens. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2023 In the grand scheme of things, Dreamforce unfolded precisely as anticipated—a splendid spectacle of self-congratulation and opulence. Bykylie Robison, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2023 Amid hearty cheers and self-congratulations, the crews board the busses. Annette Stark, Spin, 11 Aug. 2023 Yet there is almost always a note of self-congratulation tucked within this attention, too. Alice Newell-Hanson Sean Donnola, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-congratulation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-congratulation was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near self-congratulation

Cite this Entry

“Self-congratulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-congratulation. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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