as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
the air of self-congratulation that pervades the songwriter's memoirs
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Recent Examples of self-congratulation
But Carey also took the UBS Arena stage in New York for more than self-congratulations.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Judge, always wary of self-congratulation, downplayed his contributions.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Dismissed by some as an intellectual fad, EA, according to its founders, marked a serious and fundamental rethink of philanthropy, away from an exercise in black-tie self-congratulation and toward a rigorous quantitative science.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
In The Atlantic, the former sheriff of King County, Washington, Sue Rahr, explains how such self-congratulation obscures so many less palatable truths.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
What bothers me more is the tone of self-congratulation that accompanies a project that has precious little to do with restorative justice.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 30 May 2025
The rollout comes with the usual self-congratulation.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
No longer was the show building season-long plots around how megachurch culture has helped turn modern-day Christianity into a hotbed of self-congratulation and greed; that was now subtext.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Judge, always wary of self-congratulation, downplayed his contributions.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Dismissed by some as an intellectual fad, EA, according to its founders, marked a serious and fundamental rethink of philanthropy, away from an exercise in black-tie self-congratulation and toward a rigorous quantitative science.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
In The Atlantic, the former sheriff of King County, Washington, Sue Rahr, explains how such self-congratulation obscures so many less palatable truths.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
What bothers me more is the tone of self-congratulation that accompanies a project that has precious little to do with restorative justice.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 30 May 2025
The rollout comes with the usual self-congratulation.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
No longer was the show building season-long plots around how megachurch culture has helped turn modern-day Christianity into a hotbed of self-congratulation and greed; that was now subtext.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-congratulation
Noun
-
Upstairs, the home boasts four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, including the primary bedroom and bathroom with double vanities, a soaking tub and large shower.—
Molly Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Sep. 2025
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Moreover, sports teams are the ultimate vanity asset – something billionaires love to own without too much concern about possible operating losses (which likely just offset taxable gains elsewhere).—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Loners avoid prison politics — the gossip, the egos, the tests of toughness.—
John J. Lennon,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Head coach Bryan Pinabell said that the Spartans were a big challenge, but claiming the road victory was something his team took pride in.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with local pride organizations from across Orange County in the Pride City segment.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Blenkin told Variety in September 2025 that his character's laughter comes from arrogance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
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Nishijima brings his characteristic intensity to Kenji, a man whose academic arrogance masks deep insecurity and desperation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Designed to challenge audience complacency Finley came across ENOUGH!—
Kylie Volavongsa,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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This is not your standard hero’s journey, love story, or family drama, and complacency will drive that home even further.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-congratulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-congratulation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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