self-righteous

[ self-rahy-chuhs, self- ]

adjective

1. confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

   Synonyms: pharisaical, sanctimonious

self-righteous

adjective

1. having or showing an exaggerated awareness of one's own virtuousness or rights

Derived Forms

• ˌself-ˈrighteousness, noun
• ˌself-ˈrighteously, adverb

Other Words From

• self-righteous·ly adverb
• self-righteous·ness noun
• unself-righteous adjective
• unself-righteous·ly adverb
• unself-righteous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-righteous¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

He was “v[ery] hot under the collar ... frustrated and mad, self-righteous.”

From The Daily Beast

Washington, claims Larson, “was in no mood to extend Christian charity to a band of self-righteous freeloaders.”

From The Daily Beast

For these self-righteous and thin-skinned folks, there are apparently limits to the liberal virtue of tolerance.

From The Daily Beast

This being a manifesto, there are a few moments when Almond sounds like a self-righteous crank.

From The Daily Beast

Grunge makes sense if you're a sad, self-righteous teenager.

From The Daily Beast

Dear sir, I made a square bet with myself that there were nineteen debauchable men in your self-righteous community.

From Project Gutenberg

Adams' remark had the effect of taking the sails out of Ben West's self-righteous spirit, and he said nothing more.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gospel of the free forgiveness of sins through Christ will never appeal to the self-righteous.

From Project Gutenberg

Bruce could not accuse himself of being self-righteous, because he truly acknowledged himself to be a sinner before his God.

From Project Gutenberg

But beware of your peculiar danger, which is self-righteous pride, worldliness, and the evil heart of unbelief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• complacent
• egotistical
• hypocritical
• pious
• sanctimonious