as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
so many of the Web site's self-portraits give the impression of clueless self-satisfaction
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Recent Examples of self-satisfaction
The situation gets even worse once Bonnie’s concerned parents try to connect their daughter with friends by buying her a Lilypad, a child-appropriate smart tablet in frog-like casing, voiced with slappably perky self-satisfaction by Greta Lee.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 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
There should be no smug self-satisfaction in the destructive power of bombs and deafening explosions.
—
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
There’s a fine line between righteousness and self-satisfaction, and the second season, which premieres on HBO Max on January 8, frequently stumbles into the latter territory.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
30 Nov. 2025
Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it.
—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
25 Nov. 2025
After a precise drone and cruise missile successfully hit Saudi Arabia’s vital oil infrastructure in September 2019, Russia could hardly conceal its delight and self-satisfaction.
—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 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
There should be no smug self-satisfaction in the destructive power of bombs and deafening explosions.
—
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
There’s a fine line between righteousness and self-satisfaction, and the second season, which premieres on HBO Max on January 8, frequently stumbles into the latter territory.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
30 Nov. 2025
Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it.
—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
25 Nov. 2025
After a precise drone and cruise missile successfully hit Saudi Arabia’s vital oil infrastructure in September 2019, Russia could hardly conceal its delight and self-satisfaction.
—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-satisfaction
Noun
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Vintage Mirrors Layered on Surfaces Instead of hanging every mirror, try leaning a smaller antique mirror on a console, vanity, or shelf behind other objects.
-
The bathroom had a roomy tub, large shower, double vanity and very good lighting.
Noun
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Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
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Politics, Lander said, didn’t have to be a selfish endeavor driven by ego.
Noun
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There was no plan, no standoff between gang rivals, no battle for pride and respect at 10th and K streets, Mtula Payton’s attorney told jurors Wednesday.
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Aside from hotel-quality designs, the bedding brand takes pride in their fair-trade practices and non-toxic materials, and has earned Fair Trade Certified and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) seals.
Noun
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Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
-
Why does confidence read as passion for a white athlete, but as arrogance for a Black one?
Noun
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The demon was largely limited to one expression — smugness — and was inexplicably the only character who spoke Japanese.
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One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns.
Cite this Entry
“Self-satisfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-satisfaction. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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