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self-righteoushaving or showing a feeling of superiority about one's own moral beliefs or behavior

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: having or showing a feeling of superiority about one's own moral beliefs or behavior

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/

Example Sentences

  • Don't be so self-righteous about recycling when you drive a gas-guzzling SUV
  • Her self-righteous comments about social media made everyone uncomfortable
  • He's so self-righteous about being vegan that he judges everyone who eats meat

self-righteous

ADJECTIVE

[/ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/]

having or showing a feeling of superiority about one's own moral beliefs or behavior

a well-dressed person stands with arms crossed and chin raised, looking down at others with a smug expression. Their posture shows complete confidence that they alone know what's morally right. The speaker points an accusatory finger at neighbors while wearing a satisfied smile. Their body language communicates clear feelings of moral superiority over everyone else. Other community members look uncomfortable and exchange worried glances at the judgmental attitude. Some neighbors shake their heads or look away from the condescending behavior.  someone having or displaying a feeling of superiority about their own moral beliefs or behavior
💡 Concept

a well-dressed person stands with arms crossed and chin raised, looking down at others with a smug expression. Their posture shows complete confidence that they alone know what's morally right. The speaker points an accusatory finger at neighbors while wearing a satisfied smile. Their body language communicates clear feelings of moral superiority over everyone else. Other community members look uncomfortable and exchange worried glances at the judgmental attitude. Some neighbors shake their heads or look away from the condescending behavior. someone having or displaying a feeling of superiority about their own moral beliefs or behavior

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌsɛlf ˈraɪtʃəs/

🌳Etymology

Rootself
Suffix-righteous

Origin

Formed in the 16th century by combining 'self' with 'righteous' (from Old English 'rightwise' meaning morally correct). Originally meant genuinely virtuous, but gradually developed the negative sense of being smugly moralistic.

Breakdown

self- (one's own) + righteous (morally correct, from 'right' + -eous suffix meaning 'having the quality of')

🎵Rhyme

righteousfrighteous
righteous
frighteous

🔗Collocations

self-righteous attitude
self-righteous preaching
self-righteous indignation
sound self-righteous
self-righteous tone
self-righteous behavior

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Don't be so self-righteous about recycling when you drive a gas-guzzling SUV

Her self-righteous comments about social media made everyone uncomfortable

He's so self-righteous about being vegan that he judges everyone who eats meat

😄 Fun example

The politician's self-righteous speech backfired when his own scandals were revealed

📚Related Words

Synonyms

sanctimoniousholier-than-thoupreachymoralisticpompous

Antonyms

humblemodestunpretentious

Related

hypocriticaljudgmentalarrogantcondescending

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