as in sanctimoniousness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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-righteousness
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
Biases, confusion, cynicism, self-righteousness muddy the waters.
—Liz Butterfield Wallingford, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2025
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
Biases, confusion, cynicism, self-righteousness muddy the waters.
—Liz Butterfield Wallingford, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteousness
Noun
-
There should be no smug self-satisfaction in the destructive power of bombs and deafening explosions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
My disappointment in Vigil came down to the waste of a perfect setup for exhibiting the worldly redemption of art—that is, its power to redeem us from insensitivity and self-satisfaction.—
Julius Taranto,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The elder Taylor exuded the easy-going charm of a music legend who is free of any airs or affectations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What begins as a small con deepens when the painter’s shrewd agent (Gilles Lellouche) spots an opportunity, encouraging Suzanne to continue the deception as a way to revive his client’s creativity — and bankroll them both.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Olivia Beech, America’s youngest female sommelier, tragically lost her sense of taste during COVID, but relied on her sharp sense of smell until she was fired for her deception.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
But a glimpse at an earlier journalistic universe—newspapers in the era before social media—shows the dishonesty at the center of the project to treat the plain meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment as up for grabs.—
Lawrence Glickman,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Thankfully, there have finally been some consequences for treating their employers with disdain, dishonesty and contempt.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The lack of pretentiousness signals something about who’s welcome there.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
29 Nov. 2025
-
There’s a pretentiousness that begins to show itself as folks get more comfortable.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Silicon Valley case remains the center of attention, focused on a 2024 lawsuit filed by Elon Musk that accuses OpenAI of alleged deceit in taking millions from the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX while operating as a nonprofit, only to later pivot into a for-profit enterprise.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
There's everything from resentment to jealousy, favouritism, and deceit swirling around in a boiling-hot cauldron where fair is foul and foul is fair.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
This idyllic stretch of western New Jersey is dotted with postcard-pretty towns that blend Americana charm with elevated local eats, funky cultural gems, and a refreshing lack of pretension.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
-
The place, a rental, is furnished without pretension—cushy sectional, vintage Tabasco poster, board games.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteousness. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
