Self-congratulation

Self-congratulation is the act of expressing excessive pride or satisfaction in one's own achievements, qualities, or actions. It often involves a display of self-approval, sometimes publicly, and can be perceived as boastful or insincere. It stems from a feeling of accomplishment and the desire to be recognized, but when excessive, it can alienate others. The term encompasses expressions of contentment over personal successes, emphasizing one's own merit, even when such praise is unwarranted. Essentially, it's an overzealous form of self-praise, frequently lacking humility or acknowledgment of external factors contributing to the accomplishment.

Self-congratulation meaning with examples

• After winning the debate, the politician engaged in extensive self-congratulation, highlighting every point she made and downplaying her opponent's arguments. Her team cringed, knowing her hubris might alienate potential voters. The victory was certainly earned, but the public display came across as arrogant. It’s crucial to show grace in victory, a lesson she seemed to have forgotten.
• Following the successful launch of his new software, the CEO's self-congratulation was on full display in the company-wide email. He spent paragraphs detailing his strategic foresight and the team's dedication, but failed to mention the countless hours of effort invested by the development team, appearing out of touch with the reality of the project.
• The author's self-congratulation after the book's release, evident in the numerous interviews where she claimed sole credit for its success, left a bad taste in the mouths of the book's editor and publisher. They felt their contributions, which were quite critical, were disregarded, a clear indication of self-aggrandizement and ingratitude.
• At the awards ceremony, the actor's extended speech of self-congratulation, praising his own talent and dismissing the work of his co-stars, was met with uncomfortable silence from the audience. His behavior was interpreted as arrogance and made him appear completely out of touch. It demonstrated a complete lack of humility despite the recognition he’d achieved.