SELF-RIGHTEOUS Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

self-righteous

adjective

Definition of self-righteous

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

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-righteous Simon’s self-righteous callousness warranted a rebuke, but the rebuke provided Simon the opportunity to see the situation more clearly, to repent, and to love more going forward. — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 Yet, the most grating new addition is a self-righteous student named Dei Meeks (Sydney Park), who polices the humor. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 Democrats who want to be self-righteous about their MAGA relatives, or sit back in their plush armchairs and diagnose Biden as being senile and blame his aides for hiding it, need to wake up. — Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026 There is nothing worse than a self-righteous Big J journalist. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-righteous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-righteous

Adjective

But the overall picture of religious infighting in 1640s Britain is essential to understanding how some people, especially poorer folk and especially women, found themselves on the wrong side of powerful, pious opponents.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Romania is one of the most pious countries in the European Union, with around 85% of the population identifying as religious.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of pious

Adjective

Still laughing, though, at sanctimonious Yankees fans believing baseball is somehow unfair to the poor, gutty Yankees.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
The thing is, McEnany, co-creator Tim Mason, and a team of executive producers that included Lilly Wachowski as well as Sweeney immediately subvert any expectation of a sanctimonious or self-serious exploration of identity.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanctimonious

Adjective

Thou Shalt Not Steal, which launches on October 6, is a coming-of-age, roadtrip, moralistic odyssey about the lies people tell themselves and each other.

— Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
If the senator’s moralism has been unfettered by his stroke, with a shift toward right-brain moralistic processing, that does not diminish his sincere intent or its effect.

— Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of moralistic

Adjective

Worries have been rising about the French government’s big debt and its strained budget.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Giancarlo Stanton, who hasn’t played since April 24 because of strained calf muscles in both legs, remained on the 26-man roster for the best-of-five series starting Saturday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

In the 2030s, aging party leaders living in rarefied Zhongnanhai compounds may look out and see superficial stability.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
While the two people in the vehicle were attempting to exit the vehicle though the front passenger door, the 17-year-old sustained a superficial gunshot wound to his buttock.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of superficial

Adjective

Californian Fred Karger, who made history in 2012 as the first openly gay person to run for president, had mixed views about the ad, calling it shrewd yet hypocritical.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Some churches have rightly been accused of being partisan, hypocritical and discriminatory toward women and minorities.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

The most recent tariff was launched as part of a broader global campaign targeting trading partners Washington says have failed to restrict forced labor.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
The sparkle in her eyes had dulled and her smile seemed forced.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026