as in pious
disapproving
having or showing a strong belief that your own actions, opinions, etc., are right and other people's are wrong
a self-righteous tone It's OK to criticize, but don't get self-righteous about it.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-righteous
There’s nothing preachy or self-righteous about Frank’s writing.
—
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Because strength in a character dimension can operate in an excess vice state when not supported by other dimensions, there is a danger of unbalanced character manifesting in the dangerous space of being self-righteous.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The film also adopts an unfortunate and unearned self-righteous tone, especially in the credits.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue.
—Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Because strength in a character dimension can operate in an excess vice state when not supported by other dimensions, there is a danger of unbalanced character manifesting in the dangerous space of being self-righteous.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The film also adopts an unfortunate and unearned self-righteous tone, especially in the credits.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue.
—Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-righteous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous
Adjective
-
The mobius-thinking at times almost seems like Medieval Zen, what with the emphasis on emptiness and silent meditation, and in fact that was what the Church fathers objected to most: too much quiet, solitary contemplation, not enough pious instruction.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
This may well sound like something that would’ve been played as a pious Christian allegory in another era.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, most of these sanctimonious snore-mongers linger on in one shrunken form or another, still screaming obscenities and shaking their fists at the moon.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
28 June 2025
-
The smug and sanctimonious tenor of their briefing makes that plain.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
At the heart of Trump’s complaints is a familiar refrain: The media is not only biased, but dishonest, corrupt and dangerous.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Writing faculty have both the agency and the academic freedom to examine generative AI’s dishonest training origins and conclude: There is no path to ethically teach AI skills.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
His disdain for the brothers’ moralistic literary choices was clear.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025
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Intervention by authorities has Indian moviegoers fuming, who accuse the censors of making moralistic changes while adopting a double standard for Bollywood films, which are often laced with innuendos, misogyny and sensual scenes.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Focused on expanding their notorious drug and money laundering organization outside of Detroit, their strained relationship has left the brothers divided.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Gal Gadot is opening up for the first time about the commercial failure of Disney’s Snow White and shuts down reports of a strained relationship with co-star Rachel Zegler.—
David Caspi,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The metrics that matter for survival cut through the noise: annual virgin plastic reduction percentages, microplastic leakage per product unit, and community impact assessments that resist superficial disclosure games.—
Trond Arne Undheim,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
This is less of a concern when in smaller more superficial vessels but all the same should be monitored for.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The House Democratic campaign arm released its own statement, calling Republicans hypocritical on the issue.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
12 Aug. 2025
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There’s nothing more hypocritical than that position.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The 24-year-old played 17 games and registered 12 tackles with a forced fumble.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The former Ferris State standout recorded another 10 sacks in 2024 to go along with one interception and a forced fumble.—
C. Isaiah Smalls,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-righteous. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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