adjective
self-righteous
self-RY-chuhs
Self-righteous (adjective) means Convinced of your own moral superiority, and making it plain in a way others find insufferable. Example: “He delivered a self-righteous lecture about recycling and then flew to Ibiza.”
adjective
1
Convinced of your own moral superiority, and making it plain in a way others find insufferable.
"He delivered a self-righteous lecture about recycling and then flew to Ibiza."
"There is nothing worse than a reformed smoker's self-righteous tone."
How to use self-righteous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSure you are morally better than everyone else, and showing it.
When to use it
Neutral in register but always critical in force.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
self-righteous tone
self-righteous anger
insufferably self-righteous
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Etymology
A compound of self and righteous, meaning righteous in one's own estimation.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for self-righteous
See all rhymes for self-righteous →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between self-righteous and sanctimonious?
Self-righteous describes the belief that you are morally better than other people. Sanctimonious describes the performance of that belief, especially with a show of piety you may not actually feel, so a sanctimonious person is putting it on while a self-righteous one may genuinely believe it.
What is the difference between self-righteous and righteous?
Righteous means genuinely morally right and is a compliment. Self-righteous means only you think so, and is always an insult; the self- prefix flips the word.
Is self-righteous always negative?
Yes. Nobody applies it to themselves approvingly, and it always signals that the speaker finds the person's moral certainty grating.
What is the meaning of self-righteous?
"self-righteous" (adjective) means convinced of your own moral superiority, and making it plain in a way others find insufferable.
