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
Nauseatingly innocent and a self-righteous killjoy, April seems to have existed solely for the purpose of making everyone else on Grey's Anatomy look worlds more interesting.
—
Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
The United States might start to see itself as others do—self-righteous, hypocritical, futile—tire of its own platitudes and lies, and consider a change.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
But Democrats want someone who fights back rather than gives self-righteous marathon speeches or just fades away.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
The United States might start to see itself as others do—self-righteous, hypocritical, futile—tire of its own platitudes and lies, and consider a change.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
But Democrats want someone who fights back rather than gives self-righteous marathon speeches or just fades away.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
Supported, at least initially, by his pious wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), and his two teenage daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki), Iman and his clan seem set for a comfy bourgeois life.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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She was considered pious and held in high regard in the community, which made the accusations against her surprising.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement For those of us who’ve historically found Stause to be sanctimonious, passive-aggressive, and prone to playing the victim, there’s plenty in both her post and her behavior throughout the reunion to support that view.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Forget any sanctimonious spewing sermon about pro sports foolishly believing these types of things would not happen.—
Mac Engel
October 23,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For that incredibly dishonest assessment that actually did a disservice to the country, Obama is held up to widespread praise by Democrats and others, even winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Taken together, these triumphal and tragic elements constitute the ingredients for an epic historical narrative that defies all moralistic categories, a story rooted in the coexistence of grandeur and failure, brilliance and blindness, grace and sin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Initially, bedtime stories tended to be moralistic tales designed to reinforce obedience and proper behavior.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The data center explosion has created boom towns across the US, but strained grids and increased housing prices and energy costs.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Judge has been working to rebuild her strained relationship with Sidney for years.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Camacho’s sister, who placed the 911 call, had also been injured, suffering superficial cuts and bleeding from her mouth, officials said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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This is not the time for superficial love.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association blasted the pork-project spending as hypocritical, especially as some liberal groups and lawmakers support raising taxes or turning to voters to pass new bonds to prop up the state’s shaky finances.—
Wire Report,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement Of course, there is such a thing as being too bad—and too hypocritical.—
Shadi Hamid,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Now, a federal indictment charges Peña Lopez and Correa Peña with forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor, according to prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Avoid sharp or forced motions, and keep good posture to prevent injury.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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