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
-
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
-
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
-
For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fascist propaganda works by distraction and deception.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Flores must continue to utilize deception to apply pressure on the opposing quarterback.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Biopics entertain their own special relationship to the truth, but how often is one railed as inaccurate to the point of blatant dishonesty?—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Another 24% of participants cited poor leadership, dishonesty and personal dislikes as their reason for disapproving.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
1 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
-
Often, this is based on an accusation of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Was the coach’s allegation of deceit required to dig it out of the Wolves?—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Service feels attentive without formality or pretension.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 2 May. 2026.
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