as in pious
disapproving
having or showing a strong belief that your own actions, opinions, etc., are right and other people's are wrong
a self-righteous tone It's OK to criticize, but don't get self-righteous about it.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-righteous
But recent years have marked a subtle shift from self-righteous battles over reputation to less principled conflicts over branding control, like when Kanye West disowned his participation in Coodie & Chike’s 2022 documentary Jeen-Yuhs because he was denied final cut.
—
Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024
His parents, one a co-leader in the 1980s of South Central’s Black-Korean Coalition, the other a union organizer, push back on his self-righteous idealism.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Dillahunt will play modern cowboy William Macon, a self-righteous, conspiracy-minded man who masks his ruthless ambition behind a charming and calculated facade.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.
—Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-righteous 
Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024
His parents, one a co-leader in the 1980s of South Central’s Black-Korean Coalition, the other a union organizer, push back on his self-righteous idealism.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Dillahunt will play modern cowboy William Macon, a self-righteous, conspiracy-minded man who masks his ruthless ambition behind a charming and calculated facade.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.
—Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
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The pious townspeople eat food for sustenance, not enjoyment, and for over a decade Babette dutifully prepares a rather drab-looking bread soup for the sisters, per their instructions.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
21 Dec. 2024
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And yet something about her pious active listening face really gets to Urs.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.—
Allure Editors,
Allure,
17 Jan. 2025
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He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But for Williams, there was nothing dishonest about celebrating a dunk.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2025
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And Kelly claimed that in his responses, Hegseth has been dishonest with the American people.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2025
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And understanding that pleasure and pain relief are not necessarily joined at the hip might help the rest of us be less moralistic about adversity in everyday life.—
Richard A. Friedman,
The Atlantic,
29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Proponents of this theory point to Kennedy's strained relationship with the CIA after the Bay of Pigs blunder, as well as differences over how the U.S. should have approached Vietnam.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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Sasaki, who was 18 at the time, encountered difficulties rehabilitating a strained muscle in his right arm.—
Dylan Hernández,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Neuralink procedure, on the other hand, occurs on the superficial, surface- area of the brain and requires a relatively small incision.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
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Technical And Operational Challenges Many organizations face integration hurdles with AI solutions due to existing investments in legacy systems and required employee training, often resulting in superficial implementation and a lack of comprehensive upskilling.—
Shivangi Khurania,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jamie Bernstein considers the attitude hypocritical.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
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There are several moments in which Stewart comes off as hypocritical and lacking self-awareness.—
Meredith Blake,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Fiske began shining for Los Angeles down the stretch; he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in November, recording 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and five sacks in the month.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Wallace, who led the team with two forced fumbles, had an up-and-down stint as a starter before going down with a shoulder injury in Week 14.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near self-righteous
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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