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

I don’t want to be self-righteous; we all make compromises.

From Salon

The conservative commentators’ vitriol is oddly cloaked in a self-righteous insistence that they are exposing some deep dark secret of Tim Walz and therefore on a bizarre level, supposedly protecting children or the disabled.

From Salon

She can come across as self-righteous, judgmental and at times naïve.

From New York Times

Or maybe the grouchy, standoffish, self-righteous pain in the butt is a character that resonates in Denmark.

From New York Times

Simply asking the question "Am I a self-righteous psychedelic narcissist?" is enough of an answer.

From Salon

Related Words

• complacent
• egotistical
• hypocritical
• pious
• sanctimonious