self-congratulation

noun

ˌself-kən-ˌgra-chə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce self-congratulation (audio)
Definition of self-congratulationnext
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements the air of self-congratulation that pervades the songwriter's memoirs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-congratulation Anima's version involves more effort and less self-congratulation. — Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Today, the self-congratulation of white liberals has been displaced by white-supremacist promoters of Western civilization who don’t merely posit but brutally enforce inequality between races, peoples, cultures, and nation-states. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Being vocally left-leaning thus provides social status benefits and forms of self-congratulation that being conservative doesn't (if anything, in terms of the broader culture and the opinion-formulating institutions, conservatism tends to be rather lonely and something of a social liability). — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026 That is why this moment demands smarter policy choices, not self-congratulation. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-congratulation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-congratulation
  1. vanity
  2. ego
  3. pride
  4. arrogance
  5. smugness
  6. complacency
Noun
  • My suite was beyond spacious, with a full entryway with desk and wetbar giving way to a seating area; large, plush bed; then a closet and vanity area leading into a massive bathroom—which had a full soaking tub and two pedestal sinks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • HomePop Clover Shaped Ottoman A decorative pouf can wear many hats—vanity seating, an extra chair for company, or even a foot stool in lieu of a chaise.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • Over the six episodes, alliances shift, egos clash, and pressure builds as the group shrinks.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The mercurial aspect of the ego wants so much to be validated, respected and understood for a pursuit.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • The 44-year-old first-time SEC coach has taken great pride in returning the edge that has been missing from Gainesville since Urban Meyer exited Alachua County back in December 2010.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Having held the reigning AFC Player of the Month in Walker to his lowest rushing total in 2026, the Dolphins can take pride that their run defense appears to be headed in the right direction.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This standalone novel looks at the cult of celebrity, the bond among parents and children, entitlement and arrogance, all wrapped into a tightly wound plot that’s an evocative historical steeped in the Great Depression.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • That joke, which McNamara hits with a palpable sparkle of smugness, illustrates how deliciously blunt her comedic sensibility is.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even if the movie gets a bit crazy in an apocalyptic epilogue, its picture of bourgeois smugness due for a takedown is delicious.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of smugness
Noun
  • Beyond adhering to cybersecurity fundamentals, the focus should also account for employee complacency.
    — Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The company prides itself on a 97 percent score on France’s Equal Opportunity Index, which calculates the gender pay gap, but Nicolas cautioned against complacency.
    — WWD Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of complacency

Browse Nearby Words

self-confidently
self-congratulation
self-congratulatory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-congratulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-congratulation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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