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Meaning of self-righteous
having or showing a strong belief in one's own moral superiority
Etymology of self-righteous
The word "self-righteous" originated in the 17th century, derived from the combination of "self" and "righteous", with "righteous" coming from Old English "rihtwīs", meaning just, upright, or virtuous
Historically, the term has been used to describe individuals who exhibit an excessive or unwarranted sense of moral superiority, often accompanied by a lack of humility or empathy towards others
Synonyms
sanctimonious
hypocritical
self-serving
holier-than-thou
smug
superior
arrogant
condescending
patronizing
pretentious
pious
egotistical
vain
conceited
narcissistic
bigoted
dogmatic
intolerant
judgmental
critical
disapproving
disdainful
scornful
haughty
lofty
high-handed
moralistic
righteous
uptight
rigid
inflexible
uncompromising
stubborn
obstinate
opinionated
dictatorial
authoritarian
domineering
overbearing
oppressive
tyrannical
despotic
autocratic
Definitions
- Having or showing a strong belief in one's own moral superiority, especially when this is not justified
- * Having a strong and often unshakeable conviction of one's own righteousness, often accompanied by a critical or disapproving attitude towards others
Usage Examples
- The self-righteous tone of the article was off-putting to many readers
- * She came across as self-righteous and condescending when discussing her views on social justice
- * His self-righteous attitude towards those who disagreed with him was alienating and divisive