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
-
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.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
20 June 2026
-
The bathroom had a roomy tub, large shower, double vanity and very good lighting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
For Fergie, joining the military didn’t just appeal to his ego and ambition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
In the finale, with Ben’s The Spider alter-ego on the verge of being exposed, Robbie steps in by donning the Spider suit on his behalf — allowing Morris, who grew up a massive Spider-Man fan, to fulfill a kind of childhood dream.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
Noun
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That's what Armen and Jaime Azizyan, the co-owners of the floral studio, Flybunker, take a lot of pride in being able to do.—
Max Darrow,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Mobutu spoke of great achievements, the pride at being the first Black African team at a World Cup, even how good the Zaire yellow shirts (which Mobutu apparently had a hand in designing) looked against their skin.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
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.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
Why does confidence read as passion for a white athlete, but as arrogance for a Black one?—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The demon was largely limited to one expression — smugness — and was inexplicably the only character who spoke Japanese.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
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.—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-satisfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-satisfaction. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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