self-flattery

noun

self-flat·​tery ˌself-ˈfla-tə-rē 

: the glossing over of one's own weaknesses or mistakes and the exaggeration of one's own good qualities and achievements

Examples of self-flattery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This approach mixes the self-flattery of some older histories with frank acknowledgment of the many ways in which America has fallen short of its ideals, incorporating the critical scholarship of recent decades. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

But that is a bit of self-flattery. — Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Certainty that none of our contemporary policy commitments are morally faulty or practically misguided has little foundation beyond self-flattery. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-flattery

• battery
• flattery
• slattery