Need another word for Self-Righteous? Use these synonyms of Self-Righteous from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
sanctimonious
hypocritical
holier-than-thou
pious
self-satisfied
smug
superior
condescending
patronizing
arrogant
haughty
pretentious
narcissistic
egotistical
conceited
vain
proud
boastful
moralistic
judgmental
critical
disapproving
censorious
sanctimonious
pietistic
Pharisaic
affected
artificial
insincere
duplicitous
deceitful
dishonest
two-faced
double-dealing
canting
pecksniffian
unctuous
oily
sycophantic
obsequious
fawning
servile
cringing
groveling
toadying
sycophantish
Meaning of Self-Righteous
having or showing a strong belief in one's own moral superiority
Definitions
- Having or showing a strong belief in one's own moral superiority, especially when this belief is not justified
- * Having a smug or self-satisfied attitude towards others, often accompanied by a sense of moral superiority
Etymology of Self-Righteous
The word "self-righteous" has its roots in the 17th century, derived from the combination of "self" and "righteous", with "righteous" coming from the Old English "rihtwīs", meaning "just" or "upright"
Historically, the term has been used to describe individuals who exhibit a superior or condescending attitude towards others, often based on a perceived moral high ground
Example Uses
- The self-righteous tone of the article was off-putting to many readers
- * His self-righteous attitude towards those who disagreed with him was alienating
- * She came across as self-righteous and judgmental, which made it difficult to have a conversation with her
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
humble
modest
unassuming
unpretentious
open-minded
tolerant
accepting
empathetic
compassionate
kind
gentle
meek
mild
moderate
restrained
reserved
unobtrusive
low-key
understated
unostentatious
unsanctimonious
unpretending
honest
sincere
genuine
authentic
straightforward
down-to-earth
frank
candid
truthful