self-congratulation

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

See more synonyms for self-congratulation on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Origin of self-congratulation

First recorded in 1705–15

Related formsself-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. 2018

Examples from the Web for self-congratulation

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
But there was plenty of complacency and self-congratulation on display.
Wake Up, Europe! Complacency at Davos
Daniel Gross
January 24, 2013
“You can understand the self-congratulation,” the editorial said.
Seven Great Reads on Greece
November 4, 2011

Historical Examples

I should not have been so ready with my self-congratulation had I seen the dogs that we were to have.
The Long Labrador Trail
Dillon Wallace
I was not, however, left in peace to enjoy my pleasant mood of self-congratulation.
Lady Bountiful
George A. Birmingham
This feeling of self-congratulation was, however, but momentary.
The Watcher
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
They bawled after him curses, and also outbursts of self-congratulation and vanity.
The Open Boat and Other Stories
Stephen Crane
Vivien's face was a confession, Harry's air a self-congratulation.
Second String
Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for self-congratulation

self-congratulation

noun

the state or an instance of congratulating or being pleased with oneself

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for self-congratulation

n.

1630s, from self- + congratulation.

self-congratulation

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}self-congratulation

Examples from the Web for self-congratulation

Contemporary Examples

Let Jourdan Dunn be the first of many—not an island, or badge of self-congratulation.

Also missing, thankfully, is the sense of entitlement and self-congratulation one finds in the Bay Area.

Because it was a night for self-congratulation—a celebration of the IMW for its successes—no matter who showed up.

But there was plenty of complacency and self-congratulation on display.

“You can understand the self-congratulation,” the editorial said.

Historical Examples

I should not have been so ready with my self-congratulation had I seen the dogs that we were to have.

I was not, however, left in peace to enjoy my pleasant mood of self-congratulation.

This feeling of self-congratulation was, however, but momentary.

They bawled after him curses, and also outbursts of self-congratulation and vanity.

Vivien's face was a confession, Harry's air a self-congratulation.

self-congratulation

Word Origin and History for self-congratulation

n.

Origin of self-congratulation