SELF-SATISFACTION Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

self-satisfaction

noun

ˌself-ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-shən

Definition of self-satisfaction

as in vanity

an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements so many of the Web site's self-portraits give the impression of clueless self-satisfaction

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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-satisfaction There’s a fine line between righteousness and self-satisfaction, and the second season, which premieres on HBO Max on January 8, frequently stumbles into the latter territory. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026 Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025 After a precise drone and cruise missile successfully hit Saudi Arabia’s vital oil infrastructure in September 2019, Russia could hardly conceal its delight and self-satisfaction. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Trump himself personifies stupidity’s essential feature — self-satisfaction, an inability to recognize the flaws in your thinking. — David Brooks, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-satisfaction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-satisfaction

Noun

Prioritize Lasting Placements Over Speed In staffing, speed is a vanity metric.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Most Popular In Oona’s bathroom the tiles are from Country Floors, the vintage mirror is from Venice, Italy, and the vanity is an antique chest that was converted to a vanity with fittings by Waterworks.

— Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanity

Noun

Unlike other music expert podcasts, this one is stripped of any mansplaining or ego — picture just a bunch of music lovers in a room, sitting by a fire and going deep on how young Bob Weir’s vocals sounded in 1970.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
Under the black cape, trash can helmet and ample body armor straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface’s alter-ego is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who has spent much of the campaign trying to keep his cool during a sweltering summer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ego

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

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selfsameness

self-satisfaction

self-satisfied

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“Self-satisfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-satisfaction. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-satisfaction

noun

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