SELF-RIGHTEOUS Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

self-righteous

adjective

Definition of self-righteous

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of self-righteous The only certainty in these films is that the self-righteous Optimus Prime will always preach some long-winded, sleep-inducing monologue at the end of the movie before a radio-friendly Linkin Park or Imagine Dragons song blares over the credits. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026 In the novel, the servant Joseph is a self-righteous zealot who’s always banging on about the Bible. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026 Undoubtedly, Bezos believes that all the criticism that has come his way is naïve, self-righteous, and terribly unfair. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2026 In calmer times, a leader expounding from such heights risks sounding preachy and self-righteous. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-righteous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous

Adjective

Others regard the unum as a pious myth.

— James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.

— David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

There are few things in this world more sanctimonious and hypocritical than left-wing sportswriters getting on their faux moral high horse.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
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.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026

Definition of sanctimonious

Adjective

The state agency said clinic staffers had clients sign a personal injury waiver, which the commission said was unenforceable, against public policy and deceptive and dishonest.

— Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
There is no industry-standard pricing for tax relief, which is one reason why taxpayers can sometimes fall victim to overpriced or dishonest tax relief scams.

— Nick Perry, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of dishonest

Adjective

Navy excels at untangling human emotions and picking through them without being didactic or moralistic.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
Last year, a YouTube channel called Akhbar Enfejari (Explosive News) began posting a variety of digital content with a political and moralistic bent.

— Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of moralistic

Adjective

But things between Harry and his older brother, Prince William, reportedly remain strained.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 July 2026
Increasing Spanish costs for defense, such as building forts and training militia, led to higher taxes and strained local economies.

— Lindsay Schakenbach Regele, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Ferrell, Henchy and David Gordon Green all previously worked on Eastbound & Down, a sports comeback series with enough superficial similarities to underline how toothless The Hawk and especially its characters are.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Screenings are inconsistent or superficial, resulting in a lack of follow-up for people with problematic drinking.

— Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 2026

Definition of superficial

Adjective

Or means that any comments are supposedly hypocritical.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
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.

— Mathew Miranda June 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026