self-congratulation

American  

[self-kuhn-grach-uh-ley-shuhn, -graj-, -kuhng-, self-] / ˈsɛlf kənˌgrætʃ əˈleɪ ʃən, -ˌgrædʒ-, -kəŋ-, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

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

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self-congratulation British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• self-congratulating adjective
• self-congratulatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-congratulation

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

The self-congratulation went down badly with some of his audience, according to the people close to Lloyd’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s tough to parse irony from self-congratulation.

From Los Angeles Times

Their final installment was all cheery good humor and self-congratulation.

From Slate

In a speech that was equal parts celebration and self-congratulation, regularly punctuated by applause from the crowd, the president recalled his longtime support of tariffs, as well as his early criticism of free trade agreements like Nafta and the World Trade Organization.

From BBC

The Academy Awards are not just an evening of self-congratulation.

From Los Angeles Times