Looking for synonyms for self-righteous? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say self-righteous.
- Sanctimonious
- Holier-than-thou
- Smug
- Self-satisfied
- Pharisaical
- Moralistic
- Priggish
- Pious
- Superior
- Hypocritical
- Judgmental
- Dogmatic
- Presumptuous
- Pretentious
- Condescending
Want to learn how to say self-righteous professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Sanctimonious
Appropriate when someone acts as if they are morally superior to others.
- Example: “The sanctimonious manager criticized his team’s work-life balance, despite regularly leaving early himself.”
2. Holier-than-thou
Used to describe someone who displays an attitude of moral superiority.
- Example: “His holier-than-thou remarks about ethical investment did not match his actions.”
3. Smug
Refers to showing an excessive pride in oneself or one’s achievements, often without awareness of the arrogance.
- Example: “The smug executive boasted about surpassing sustainability targets, ignoring the contributions of the entire team.”
4. Self-satisfied
Describes someone who is too pleased with themselves and their own actions or achievements.
- Example: “After securing a big client, the self-satisfied salesperson neglected his existing accounts.”
5. Pharisaical
Used when someone is outwardly righteous or religious, but lacking in genuine sincerity or commitment.
- Example: “The Pharisaical leader preached transparency but was secretive about the company’s financial issues.”
6. Moralistic
Refers to the imposition of morals on others, often with a tone of superiority.
- Example: “The moralistic CEO enforced a strict code of ethics while personally bending the rules.”
7. Priggish
Describes someone who is self-righteously moralistic and judgmental of others.
- Example: “The priggish auditor dismissed the innovative solutions as being against traditional practices.”
8. Pious
Appropriate when someone exhibits a sanctimonious virtue, often in a religious context.
- Example: “The pious manager would often cite ethical principles, yet his decisions were not always in line with them.”
9. Superior
Used to describe a feeling of being better than others, often without justification.
- Example: “The superior attitude of the new director alienated her from her peers, who felt undervalued.”
10. Hypocritical
Refers to acting in contradiction to stated beliefs or feelings.
- Example: “The hypocritical stance of the company on environmental issues was exposed when their waste practices came to light.”
11. Judgmental
Describes a tendency to make moral judgments about others, often harshly or unfairly.
- Example: “The judgmental manager quickly blamed the team for failures, without understanding the challenges they faced.”
12. Dogmatic
Used for someone who asserts their beliefs as incontrovertibly true, without consideration for evidence or the opinions of others.
- Example: “The dogmatic CEO refused to consider alternative strategies, believing his approach was the only correct one.”
13. Presumptuous
Refers to someone who oversteps appropriate bounds in their self-assurance or when making judgments.
- Example: “The presumptuous consultant implemented changes without fully understanding the company’s culture.”
14. Pretentious
Describes an attempt to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
- Example: “The pretentious strategist used complex jargon to obscure the lack of depth in his proposals.”
15. Condescending
Used when someone behaves as if they are more important or knowledgeable than others.
- Example: “The condescending feedback from the senior analyst discouraged the junior team members from sharing their innovative ideas.”
