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
In calmer times, a leader expounding from such heights risks sounding preachy and self-righteous.
—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
In the early days of the drugs’ rollout, a high price tag and a nationwide shortage made off-label A-list users a target of self-righteous mockery.
—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Open and humorous in person, he was described by critics – and even some supporters – as stubborn, didactic and self-righteous.
—
Nicole West Bassoff,
The Conversation,
14 Nov. 2025
Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon.
—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
In the early days of the drugs’ rollout, a high price tag and a nationwide shortage made off-label A-list users a target of self-righteous mockery.
—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
Open and humorous in person, he was described by critics – and even some supporters – as stubborn, didactic and self-righteous.
—
Nicole West Bassoff,
The Conversation,
14 Nov. 2025
Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon.
—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
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Others regard the unum as a pious myth.
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However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.
Adjective
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There are few things in this world more sanctimonious and hypocritical than left-wing sportswriters getting on their faux moral high horse.
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That’s when the movie takes a direction that’s both maudlin in the true sense of the word and ultimately even sanctimonious regarding the heroine’s sudden redemption.
Adjective
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For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.
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Her attorneys contend the defendants used the litigation to portray her as dishonest, intimidate potential witnesses, fuel a public relations campaign against her and drive up the cost of her legal defense.
Adjective
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Navy excels at untangling human emotions and picking through them without being didactic or moralistic.
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Last year, a YouTube channel called Akhbar Enfejari (Explosive News) began posting a variety of digital content with a political and moralistic bent.
Adjective
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Then there’s the risk of higher frustration and strained relationships across an organization.
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But for Chris Williams, an 18-year employee of the California Department of Education, the contentious return-to-office process may have teed up a strained relationship with downtown.
Adjective
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Context that lacks acknowledgment comes across as defensive, and acknowledgment that lacks context comes across superficial.
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At the most superficial level, the DSA influx has associated Democrats with a series of kooky beliefs and statements.
Adjective
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Or means that any comments are supposedly hypocritical.
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Earlier this month, Matsui’s campaign came after Vang for taking corporate donations from Sacramento-area businesses during her city council campaigns, implying that Vang’s vows to not accept money from corporate PACs in her congressional bid is hypocritical.
Adjective
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There is a major difference between price weakness caused by deteriorating fundamentals and price weakness caused by forced or indifferent selling.
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Brazil, facing mounting economic pressure from the United States, is fast-tracking a decade-old legislative proposal to block imports of goods made with forced, compulsory or child labor.
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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