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

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 notes

In 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

sanctimonious → righteous → judgemental

Common pairings

self-righteous tone self-righteous anger insufferably self-righteous

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He delivered a _____ lecture about recycling and then flew to Ibiza.

Etymology

A compound of self and righteous, meaning righteous in one's own estimation.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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sanctimonious holier-than-thou priggish preachy smug pharisaical

Antonyms

humble self-effacing modest

Related Words

small limited holy proud defeat moderate humble modest

Rhymes for self-righteous

yous nous pious joyous heinous ominous curious anxious copious tenuous tedious spurious

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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.

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