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
There’s nothing preachy or self-righteous about Frank’s writing.
—
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Because strength in a character dimension can operate in an excess vice state when not supported by other dimensions, there is a danger of unbalanced character manifesting in the dangerous space of being self-righteous.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The film also adopts an unfortunate and unearned self-righteous tone, especially in the credits.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue.
—Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Because strength in a character dimension can operate in an excess vice state when not supported by other dimensions, there is a danger of unbalanced character manifesting in the dangerous space of being self-righteous.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The film also adopts an unfortunate and unearned self-righteous tone, especially in the credits.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue.
—Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
Jill’s teenage son Brad (George Ferrier) is just as calculating, if not nearly as savvy, pressuring his pious girlfriend Abby (Madison Wolfe) for a repeat of their prom-night hookup while pursuing other partners.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 July 2025
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Those healthy enough were put through a daily regimen of religious education and physical schooling intended to train them to be pious and obedient.—
Ann Foster,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, most of these sanctimonious snore-mongers linger on in one shrunken form or another, still screaming obscenities and shaking their fists at the moon.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
28 June 2025
-
The smug and sanctimonious tenor of their briefing makes that plain.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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So, in that moment, the things that are coming out of my mouth are not dishonest.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
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Writing faculty have both the agency and the academic freedom to examine generative AI’s dishonest training origins and conclude: There is no path to ethically teach AI skills.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
His disdain for the brothers’ moralistic literary choices was clear.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025
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Intervention by authorities has Indian moviegoers fuming, who accuse the censors of making moralistic changes while adopting a double standard for Bollywood films, which are often laced with innuendos, misogyny and sensual scenes.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
There has been a gradual normalization of ties between India and China in recent months after relations were deeply strained in June 2020, when a brutal hand-to-hand battle in the Galwan Valley left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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The Taliban’s strained relationships with Iran and Pakistan further complicate reintegration efforts.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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The damage looked superficial, while the rider himself was laid-back.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Unfortunately, many of these individuals are disillusioned with the traditional path and are enticed by the allure of fast money, luxurious lifestyles, and superficial beauty without any effort or hard work.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s no question which member of Congress put on the year’s most hypocritical legislative performance.—
Carl P. Leubsdorf,
Twin Cities,
23 July 2025
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There’s just this hypocritical system in which there is demand for immigrant labor in many industries, along with demonization of these very contributors.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Their cumulative stats in those 16 games are exceptional: 18.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 49 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
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But activists like Lee criticized the measures as cosmetic, saying they were aimed at improving Taiwan’s image rather than addressing the root causes of forced labor.—
Eric Cheung,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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