self-congratulatory

Definition of self-congratulatorynext

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-congratulatory The World Economic Forum has become a cloistered and self-congratulatory body out of touch with economic realities, its new leader, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said on the opening evening of the 2026 conference. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026 Don’t be swayed by the self-congratulatory rhetoric. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026 His novel about the war, For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940), was a piece of self-congratulatory nonsense that made millions. Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 Sacrifice captures the tenor of these high-end charity events that are attended by the famous and ultra-wealthy, and have a tendency to land somewhere between tone-deaf to hopelessly self-congratulatory. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-congratulatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-congratulatory
Adjective
  • Time gave us the late-career brilliance of filmmakers like Jane Campion, Agnès Varda, Claire Denis, and Kathryn Bigelow, whose work became richer, fiercer, and more self-assured because these women had lived and learned so much.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 May 2026
  • Her perspective on pop, politics, and everything in between has remained consistently direct and self-assured.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s no shortage of people who work in TV news who are extremely self-confident.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
  • First, Gibson is a self-confident if nerdy music therapist — and a wannabe pop composer — as George.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • And it could be accelerated by the continued rise of angry, resentful, self-glorifying nationalism in many countries.
    Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2022
Adjective
  • Rangel, who was 10 years old when Mexico tied South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup and who fondly remembers El Tri’s victory over France that tournament, is confident between the posts.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • Schaeffer, however, is confident that change is on the way.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Her personality has always been difficult, noncollaborative, selfish and demanding.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
  • Squandering his Senate seniority and experience at this time, combined with his decision to appoint a newbie to replace him, should that opportunity arise, seems misguided at best and selfish at worst.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Critics call social media posts self-promotion While the president praised her as a fighter, critics called out her self-promoting social media use, including videos showing her in tactical gear at raids with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents.
    Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The characters were mostly comic, from shamelessly self-promoting wannabe pop star Scheana Shay to vain rock frontman Tom Sandoval.
    Judy Berman, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • This is where many organizations are becoming dangerously overconfident.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • Vaccine discussions continue to be distorted by bad-faith actors and overconfident non-clinicians.
    Adam Goodcoff, STAT, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • His new wife is demanding and self-centered, with clear narcissistic traits.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • That’s a big step forward for the character who’s sometimes been a little self-centered in the past.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Self-congratulatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-congratulatory. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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