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

These are two examples of politicians' truths among a plethora of others that are really lies, distortions, deceptions and desecrations of the citizens' trust in them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
In the acquisition space, the Nats traded Jake Bennett, who sits 93 and relies on deception and command, to the Red Sox for Luis Perales, who sits 99 with a gnarly splitter.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

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
While some view this as a solution to academic dishonesty, experts highlight significant challenges.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of dishonesty

Noun

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
Advertisement Jones uses his antihero’s blunt self-appraisals to avoid the pretentiousness endemic to stories about artists.

— Judy Berman, Time, 2 June 2026

Definition of pretentiousness

Noun

Each season, The Traitors brings together a group of people for a game of deceit, separating the cast into faithfuls and traitors who must try to figure out who is who.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Their topics include the limits of authenticity and how to grasp understanding in a world awash in deceit.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

The verdict Superbly located between historic and modern Istanbul, The Ritz-Carlton delivers polished service without pretension.

— Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Martin insisted that it could be done without schmaltz, but the singer was wary of wrecking their reputation with classical pretensions.

— Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-righteousness

noun

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