self-congratulation

[ self-kuh n-grach-uh-ley-shuh n, or, often, -graj-, -kuh ng-, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf kənˌgrætʃ əˈleɪ ʃən, or, often, -ˌgrædʒ-, -kəŋ-, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

the expression or feeling of uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's own accomplishment, good fortune, etc.; complacency.

Nearby words

self-conceit, self-concept, self-conception, self-confessed, self-confidence, self-congratulation, self-conscious, self-consecration, self-consequence, self-consistent, self-contained

Origin of self-congratulation

First recorded in 1705–15

Related forms

self-con·grat·u·la·to·ry

[self-kuh n-grach-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or, often, -graj-, -kuh ng-, self-] /ˈsɛlf kənˈgrætʃ ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, or, often, -ˈgrædʒ-, -kəŋ-, ˌsɛlf-/, adjectiveself-con·grat·u·lat·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-congratulation

Let Jourdan Dunn be the first of many—not an island, or badge of self-congratulation.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Also missing, thankfully, is the sense of entitlement and self-congratulation one finds in the Bay Area.
Battle of the Upstarts: Houston vs. San Francisco Bay|Joel Kotkin|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because it was a night for self-congratulation—a celebration of the IMW for its successes—no matter who showed up.
The Dubious Successes of Israel's Media Watch|Elisheva Goldberg|September 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But there was plenty of complacency and self-congratulation on display.
Wake Up, Europe! Complacency at Davos|Daniel Gross|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

“You can understand the self-congratulation,” the editorial said.
Seven Great Reads on Greece||November 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
If he could not speak at all, his audience would have reason for self-congratulation.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 1, Saturday, April 2, 1870|Various
In repeating these statistics he reproduced with an ironical exactness the tone of self-congratulation of the pharmacist.
Home Fires in France|Dorothy Canfield
But complacency or self-congratulation can imperil our security as much as the weapons of tyranny.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
"This being married to a poor novelist isn't so bad after all," I remarked with an air of self-congratulation.
A Daughter of the Middle Border|Hamlin Garland
Arthur retired from the examination with a smile of self-congratulation, and Nigel took up the running.
The Sixth Sense|Stephen McKenna

British Dictionary definitions for self-congratulation