Synonyms of self-righteous

self-righteous

adjective

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pious
• sanctimonious
• dishonest
• moralistic
• strained
• superficial
• hypocritical
• forced
• affected
• pharisaical
• holier-than-thou
• unnatural
• fake
• insincere
• artificial
• phoney
• unctuous
• mechanical
• double
• pretended
• backhanded
• lip
• canting
• phony
• meaningless
• hollow
• goody-goody
• simon-pure
• feigned
• contrived
• counterfeit
• phony-baloney
• mealy
• phoney-baloney
• jive
• two-faced
• deceitful
• assumed
• double-dealing
• rectitudinous
• mealymouthed
• simulated
• double-faced
• false
• glib
• empty
• claptrap
• Janus-faced
• untruthful
• put-on
• Pecksniffian
• left-handed
• devious
• facile
• bogus
• facetious
• sham
• tongue-in-cheek
• jocular
• campy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincere
• genuine
• honest
• heartfelt
• artless
• candid
• unfeigned
• direct
• forthright
• plain
• frank
• open
• straightforward
• undesigning
• heart-to-heart

Examples of self-righteous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The performances sing, too, with the series making use of Portman’s gift for self-righteous sanctimony and Ingram’s ability to sell both disillusionment and swashbuckling heroism as the situation demands it. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2024

Her self-righteous smirk, withering glare and wide, mischievous grin captured the emotional extremes of adolescence to an extent that words could never quite express. —Judy Berman, TIME, 14 July 2024

And finally, Jenny, who wasn’t even born when their father was abducted, has dedicated her life to the self-righteous rejection of her family, a preoccupation that has left her friendless and joyless. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

For anyone who’s ever been wronged, loves to feel a little self-righteous, or just wants to dance it out, consider this your summer anthem. —Vogue, 2 July 2024