SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

self-righteousness

noun

as in sanctimoniousness

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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-righteousness Although humanity’s salvation may appear to come in fits and starts, God’s healing influence always penetrates and gets through callous self-righteousness and indifference. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 But Flynn also oozes sniveling self-righteousness while hotly defending and petitioning for childhood innocence (amusing hints emerge that the daughter is a somewhat lazy and dim underachiever). — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026 But where the stalker remains self-deluded to the end, Jack’s self-righteousness is tinged with self-awareness. — Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025 But Chapman later grew worried that self-righteousness and a hunger for dominance shaped the attitudes of Conservative Resurgence leaders after their movement ended. — Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025 Roberts performs as Yale philosophy Professor Alma, the self-righteousness that dazzles in her eyes subjugates Edebiri as Maggie, her self-effacing star pupil. — Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 Such comparisons are too easily drawn, with too much self-righteousness, as though the guilt for what was done to the Jews could be lightened just a little by likening them to their own murderers. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteousness

Noun

His face is a mix of affectlessness and self-satisfaction, putting him somewhere between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, with a touch of the Cheshire cat.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
After 50 minutes of self-satisfaction, the hero fades serenely into a sunset that Dudamel made miraculously mystical.

— Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Definition of self-satisfaction

Noun

With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
Robinhood's banking product arrived with private-bank affectations, estate planning, event access, cash to the door, priced at $5 a month inside a bundle a 30-year-old already pays for.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
This experience combines identity deception, autonomous agent action and software supply-chain risk, along with social engineering devised by an agent and directed against a human.

— Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

The practice of yama includes avoiding violence, dishonesty, theft and greed, and cultivating brahmacharya.

— Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Set against the backdrop of political dishonesty and the country’s abandonment of ideals, the book probes questions about how to be an artist in the world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dishonesty

Noun

Staff members treat patrons like family, a welcome departure from the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with more luxurious bookings.

— Joey Skladany, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Gabrielle and Katerina credit the enduring appeal of Dan Tana’s to its persistent lack of pretentiousness.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of pretentiousness

Noun

Their trading volume, political influence and public profiles have expanded — as have their pretensions.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Anyone can join this adventure, this surge of solidarity through collective prayer for our world, to put a stop to all the pretensions of evil.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of pretension

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

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self-righteous

self-righteousness

self-rule

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“Self-righteousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteousness. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-righteousness

noun

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