self-appointed

[ self-uh-poin-tid ]

adjective

1. chosen by oneself to act in a certain capacity or to fulfill a certain function, especially pompously or self-righteously:

   a self-appointed guardian of the public's morals.

self-appointed

adjective

1. having assumed authority without the agreement of others

   a self-appointed critic

Other Words From

• self-ap·pointment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-appointed¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Pinker is not a self-appointed enforcer of arbitrary rules, and he has little patience for purists, prigs, and pedants.

From The Daily Beast

Hating on Gwyneth Paltrow and judging her self-appointed lifestyle ambassadorship is so passé.

From The Daily Beast

Despite being homebound, a few have become self-appointed war correspondents.

From The Daily Beast

The attack took place in an area where police say self-appointed “Muslim patrols” have been operating.

From The Daily Beast

No one in Pakistan wanted the self-appointed savior, and he is now under house arrest.

From The Daily Beast

My self-appointed host, whose name was Goodell, waved me to a chair, and took one opposite.

From Project Gutenberg

By pairs the villagers departed, and soon none remained save her self-appointed guardians, the two holy men.

From Project Gutenberg

There is the board of guardians, nominally elected, really selected, and almost self-appointed.

From Project Gutenberg

"You were the self-appointed guardian of the water supply," Voronoff spat out the words.

From Project Gutenberg

Following half a dozen self-appointed guides, Mary picked her way to the stairway and looked down.

From Project Gutenberg