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
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
Socially engaged cinema of this kind gets a bad rap these days; it is seen as old and tired or, worse still, superior and self-righteous.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
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
Socially engaged cinema of this kind gets a bad rap these days; it is seen as old and tired or, worse still, superior and self-righteous.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
The mobius-thinking at times almost seems like Medieval Zen, what with the emphasis on emptiness and silent meditation, and in fact that was what the Church fathers objected to most: too much quiet, solitary contemplation, not enough pious instruction.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
This may well sound like something that would’ve been played as a pious Christian allegory in another era.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 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
-
No wonder de Lesseps became a national pariah whose name was synonymous with dishonest incompetence.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
These are cheap, dishonest shots against a great intellect, acknowledged by friends and opponents alike.—
James Gaylord,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 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
-
From frequent relocations to a carousel of careers (culminating in a stint in Hot Springs), his choices left indelible marks on those closest to him, including strained relationships and tangled finances.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
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In other instances, the lyrics feel a bit strained.—
Juan J. Arroyo,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
So, pretty people and sunshine are a superficial symptom of something much deeper.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Mark’s bond with another trainer, Bas Rutten (played by the real-life former wrestler and broadcaster Bas Rutten), is similarly superficial.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Not in a way that seems forced but natural.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Human rights groups, citing concerns over forced confessions, have condemned a wave of hundreds of arrests and warned that the government is using the June conflict as a pretext to escalate repression.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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