self-congratulation

noun

ˌself-kən-ˌgra-chə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce self-congratulation (audio)
Definition of self-congratulationnext
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements the air of self-congratulation that pervades the songwriter's memoirs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-congratulation Anima's version involves more effort and less self-congratulation. — Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Today, the self-congratulation of white liberals has been displaced by white-supremacist promoters of Western civilization who don’t merely posit but brutally enforce inequality between races, peoples, cultures, and nation-states. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Being vocally left-leaning thus provides social status benefits and forms of self-congratulation that being conservative doesn't (if anything, in terms of the broader culture and the opinion-formulating institutions, conservatism tends to be rather lonely and something of a social liability). — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026 That is why this moment demands smarter policy choices, not self-congratulation. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-congratulation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-congratulation
  1. vanity
  2. ego
  3. pride
  4. arrogance
  5. smugness
  6. complacency
Noun
  • The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nine-foot stainless-steel screens, originally designed to keep fish from swimming into dams, were reshaped into curved, airfoil-like vanity doors.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • The fact that both quarterbacks checked their ego at the door has impressed North Stars coach Rob Pomazak.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, even when the prosecutor involved almost certainly knows something other than justice is in the works, there is a momentum of ego and bureaucracy that is hard to reverse.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • Harris credited his defensive line and said the team takes pride in being a hard team to run against.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In short, Parton may not have claimed to be a feminist, but her feminist fans claimed her just the same — with pride and affection.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • The demon was largely limited to one expression — smugness — and was inexplicably the only character who spoke Japanese.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026
  • One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns.
    — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 31 May 2026
Definition of smugness
Noun
  • That’s the risk Washington is not pricing into its complacency.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • All this should be understood not as a reason for complacency but as a rationale for further action.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of complacency

Browse Nearby Words

self-confidently
self-congratulation
self-congratulatory
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Cite this Entry

“Self-congratulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-congratulation. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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