as in sanctimoniousness
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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
-
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
-
There should be no smug self-satisfaction in the destructive power of bombs and deafening explosions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 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
-
But in a further deception orchestrated by the Devil, the king’s mother is ordered to kill the queen and her child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Red-team against deliberate deception, not just natural variability.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
-
Twenty years ago, sticking with the education example, the internet ramped up dishonesty.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
There's no pretentiousness or rigid formality, but the service, food, and wine are top-notch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
The lack of pretentiousness signals something about who’s welcome there.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The shows tackle stories about murder, deceit, grief, familial estrangement, presidential assassinations, and complex mental health diagnoses — and all have found captive audiences on the streamer over the last year.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
-
In each new place, Charlie pretends to be Layla, hoping to ensnare an unsuspecting Stanley into his web of deceit.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
-
Kids While the lobster is plentiful and the Champagne flows, the St Regis artfully avoids any pretension.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 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 6 Jun. 2026.
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