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
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
The book hinges on a conflict between self-righteous Burghers, who live in cities, and resentful, paranoid rural people known as Yeomen.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 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.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The book hinges on a conflict between self-righteous Burghers, who live in cities, and resentful, paranoid rural people known as Yeomen.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 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.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
As Mildred Layton, the pious pastor’s wife first played on screen by Kristin Chenoweth, Ana Gasteyer is in her element.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Colombian grandmother of my childhood summers was funny, mean, pious, and hard—despite being tremendously sensitive in her own way.—
Adriana E. Ramírez,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 34-year-old Haim, a successful musician who with just four roles in five quick years has also established herself as one of our most fascinating actresses, plays this turn from cheerful bud to sanctimonious hater perfectly.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Pope has been criticized by sanctimonious warmongers for being inappropriately religious.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chinese officials framed the panda transfer as part of a broader effort to strengthen scientific cooperation and cultural ties between the countries, even as relations remain strained.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Negron said the organizers looked carefully at the strained relations between the two countries and recent violence reports earlier this year in Puerto Vallarta, which is further south of the race’s finish line.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the defense argued that the blood spatter evidence at the scene matched an accidental fall and that Kathleen's scalp lacerations were only superficial and didn't cause her death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
More often those concert performances help pump up a flashy, superficial look at an enigmatic artist whose closest connections were of the animal variety (Bubbles gets screen time; ditto a giraffe, a llama and a big snake).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
How hypocritical that of me, Amy, and Gretchen, the only one married is me.—
David Sedaris,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not just awkward; that’s hypocritical.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In nearly every practical sense, these conditions mirror those faced by people in forced labor.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Some of the conversations, especially with the bench analysts, have been awkward and forced.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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