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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-righteous
Whites, bewildered and self-righteous, would find their way to Reagan.
—
Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
The thing that’s going to stick in people’s craw is, yes, the self-righteous theatrics of the extremely online are ripe for mockery.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 18 July 2025
How The Dividing Sky is different: The self-righteous rookie sent to arrest the main character falls in love with her in this thrilling enemies-to-lovers romance.
—Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025
There have been woke activists with a very narrow, self-righteous point of view.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
The thing that’s going to stick in people’s craw is, yes, the self-righteous theatrics of the extremely online are ripe for mockery.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 18 July 2025
How The Dividing Sky is different: The self-righteous rookie sent to arrest the main character falls in love with her in this thrilling enemies-to-lovers romance.
—Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025
There have been woke activists with a very narrow, self-righteous point of view.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
According to Singh, Bishnoi has cultivated the public persona of a pious man dedicated to God and justice.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The vast majority of the crowd knew the lyrics and sang along, with some of the particularly pious raising their hands in prayer.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Just enough with the sanctimonious explanations.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The point here was clear for those who chose to listen: the President doesn’t care one bit about all those sanctimonious calls for healing.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For that incredibly dishonest assessment that actually did a disservice to the country, Obama is held up to widespread praise by Democrats and others, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The heroine of Mansfield Park, Fanny Price, is the most moralistic young person in her household (and the most ignored).—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
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What matters is a heavy focus on aesthetic and moralistic perfection.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Room for Disagreement The UAE’s relationship with Israel has become strained in recent years over the devastation in Gaza and threats from some Israeli politicians to annex the West Bank — a move that would effectively end hopes for a Palestinian state.—
Yossi Shelley,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Ending the war will offer the Israeli leader relief from daily headlines of IDF casualties, strained reservist forces, increasing international isolation and severe economic damage – heavy burdens for electoral campaigns.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Weirdly brassy dye job aside, Clarke is impressively natural as Alex’s easy smiles and superficial charm give way to flop sweat and nervous tics.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Whereas Black Ops 6 relished in the texture of its period setting, giving players maps ranging from a warlord’s villa filled with luxury cars or dilapidated bus depots overgrown with foliage, BLOPS 7 has a superficial glossiness to each of its levels.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid sharp or forced motions, and keep good posture to prevent injury.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
All of Wyeth’s translations were bad, forced, totally artificial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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