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 Simon’s self-righteous callousness warranted a rebuke, but the rebuke provided Simon the opportunity to see the situation more clearly, to repent, and to love more going forward. — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 Yet, the most grating new addition is a self-righteous student named Dei Meeks (Sydney Park), who polices the humor. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 Democrats who want to be self-righteous about their MAGA relatives, or sit back in their plush armchairs and diagnose Biden as being senile and blame his aides for hiding it, need to wake up. — Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026 There is nothing worse than a self-righteous Big J journalist. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-righteous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous

Adjective

The Chicano values of the younger generation aren’t in alignment with the political orientation of the pious old guard.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

Louella, with her sanctimonious charm and the backing of William Randolph Hearst, ruled the studios from her desk at the Los Angeles Examiner.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026
Still laughing, though, at sanctimonious Yankees fans believing baseball is somehow unfair to the poor, gutty Yankees.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sanctimonious

Adjective

Given the extraordinary circumstances around this review, going anywhere else for photos felt almost dishonest.

— Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
The debate also took on an edgy, deeply personal tone, as the candidates repeatedly accused each other of being dishonest or misleading.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dishonest

Adjective

Thou Shalt Not Steal, which launches on October 6, is a coming-of-age, roadtrip, moralistic odyssey about the lies people tell themselves and each other.

— Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
If the senator’s moralism has been unfettered by his stroke, with a shift toward right-brain moralistic processing, that does not diminish his sincere intent or its effect.

— Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of moralistic

Adjective

That decision left the financially strained athletic department staring at a buyout of roughly $50 million.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The relationship between LaLiga and Real Madrid is beyond strained—see Tebas’ Nazi comments as an example—but on this two agreed that everyone involved had to bend the knee.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Chinese diplomats steered the discussion away from risks for hours and declined to even explain China’s own AI regulations beyond a superficial overview, despite having technical experts from the relevant agencies in the room.

— DANIEL REMLER, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026
Happily Ever After endings with something equally superficial.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of superficial

Adjective

The fine was controversial to begin with, as fans and pundits pointed out the NFL’s business with beer sponsors such as Bud Light and called the sensitivity over the celebration hypocritical.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

By forced proximity to a collapsing world, and hollowed out by the theater of their own democracies, contemporary Western readers are beginning to learn the language of qaher.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026
According to Chilean judicial reports obtained by the Associated Press, approximately 20,000 cases of forced or criminal adoptions took place during the 17 years of Pinochet’s military regime.

— Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026