Examples of self-justifying in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an attempt to broach the topic of money and medicine, the AMA’s Journal of Ethics presents a self-justifying analysis.
—
David Marks, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
The tone—equal parts awestruck and self-justifying—can wear thin, especially when interspersed with name-drops and personal triumphs that lack deeper introspection.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Men and women respond to the Nazi dictatorship by becoming, at best, evasive and feebly self-justifying, at worst, morally broken.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
Now consider what happens with AI either self-justifying a bad response or being unable to make a decision fast enough.
—New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
Yet in the years after World War II, many Germans were in varying degrees unrepentant, nationalistic or self-justifying.
—Gary J. Bass, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Activism was neither vengeful nor self-justifying; saving other people’s children was simply the best means of surviving one’s own loss.
—Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Goldman is like a wily, self-justifying Philip Roth invention that asserts a new kind of J’accuse by shaming the court and invoking the pressure of Jewish history.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Sep. 2024
Seen in light of Putin’s evolving style of rule at home, however, the assault on Ukraine fits into an emerging pattern—one that features anti-Western nationalism; angry, self-justifying speeches; and increasingly open uses of force.
—Daniel Treisman, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Marks, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
The tone—equal parts awestruck and self-justifying—can wear thin, especially when interspersed with name-drops and personal triumphs that lack deeper introspection.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Men and women respond to the Nazi dictatorship by becoming, at best, evasive and feebly self-justifying, at worst, morally broken.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
Now consider what happens with AI either self-justifying a bad response or being unable to make a decision fast enough.
—New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
Yet in the years after World War II, many Germans were in varying degrees unrepentant, nationalistic or self-justifying.
—Gary J. Bass, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Activism was neither vengeful nor self-justifying; saving other people’s children was simply the best means of surviving one’s own loss.
—Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Goldman is like a wily, self-justifying Philip Roth invention that asserts a new kind of J’accuse by shaming the court and invoking the pressure of Jewish history.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Sep. 2024
Seen in light of Putin’s evolving style of rule at home, however, the assault on Ukraine fits into an emerging pattern—one that features anti-Western nationalism; angry, self-justifying speeches; and increasingly open uses of force.
—Daniel Treisman, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Self-justifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-justifying. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share