self-congratulatory

adjective

Definition of self-congratulatorynext
as in self-assured

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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-congratulatory The mood was celebratory and a bit self-congratulatory. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026 Some experts say if Kim Jong Un sought to use the congress to solidify his daughter as successor, the signals would likely be subtle, such as self-congratulatory statements about North Korea’s survival and crediting that endurance to the successful inheritance of the socialist cause. — ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026 Far too modest and deeply felt to come off as self-congratulatory, Ataei and Keshavarz’s film tells the story of two women — an avant-garde theater director and an improvisational dancer — whose friendship is as unbothered by the government as their work is defined by it. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026 The World Economic Forum has become a cloistered and self-congratulatory body out of touch with economic realities, its new leader, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said on the opening evening of the 2026 conference. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-congratulatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-congratulatory
  1. self-assured
  2. self-confident
  3. confident
  4. selfish
  5. self-promoting
  6. overconfident
  7. self-centered
  8. pretentious
Adjective
  • Part bildungsroman, part romance, Doran’s fizzy yet intelligent interpretation is as self-assured as its protagonist, with anachronistic flourishes that pay homage to Sybylla’s spirit of subversion.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Free-spirited, self-assured and rebellious, Oona has an unapologetic streak that’s reflected in her hair.
    — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of self-assured
Adjective
  • Bouncing back against the strictly masculine norms of his hometown, Bobby comes off as the most emotionally intelligent and self-confident member of King of the Hill’s cast.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
  • There’s no shortage of people who work in TV news who are extremely self-confident.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Definition of self-confident
Adjective
  • Helping someone become confident about protecting herself online can be equally valuable, particularly as more everyday tasks move online and onto apps.
    — Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The 6-foot-5, 242-pounder has learned the roles and responsibilities at defensive end, middle linebacker, weak side linebacker and strong side linebacker, and the Falcons are confident in his ability to play each at a high level.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • Furthermore, the equalities that do exist often emerge from selfish motives.
    — Christopher von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Trask boys are meant to represent a spectrum of good to bad, but as they’re encouraged to make individual choices, that also opens up the possibility of evil choices, selfish choices, destructive choices.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of selfish
Adjective
  • This approach fosters genuine respect, trust, and loyalty, offering a powerful alternative to today's loud, self-promoting culture.
    — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Critics call social media posts self-promotion While the president praised her as a fighter, critics called out her self-promoting social media use, including videos showing her in tactical gear at raids with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of self-promoting
Adjective
  • Based on recent viewership trends, the league is slightly overconfident.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • While the Broncos played their hearts out, Michigan looked overconfident and underprepared.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of overconfident
Adjective
  • Watts was also hindering the healing process by being insensitive and self-centered, friends say.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Jordan that the audience gets to know is a bit surly and self-centered.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of self-centered
Adjective
  • But others have slammed the effort as a pretentious and obnoxious slog.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretentious

Browse Nearby Words

self-congratulation
self-congratulatory
self-conscious
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Cite this Entry

“Self-congratulatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-congratulatory. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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