virtue-signalling
Hollow ethical display
Virtue-signalling is the public expression of moral values primarily to demonstrate one's own goodness rather than to effect change.
The term is almost always pejorative, suggesting the speaker cares more about appearing virtuous than being virtuous: His recycling posts are pure virtue-signalling—he drives an SUV everywhere.
Critics use it to dismiss progressive statements as performative; defenders note that the accusation itself can be a form of signalling.
Also spelled virtue signaling.
Pretense of virtue
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- sanctimonyFeigned moral superiority
- self-righteousnessSmug moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
smugness · phony · disingenuous · fakery · inauthenticity · posturing · lip-service · tokenism
Performing to impress onlookers
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- hashtagLabeled link for posts
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
exhibitionism · slacktivism · performative · optics · image · impression · broadcasting · awareness
Study of right conduct
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
compassion · empathy · humanitarianism · benevolence · philanthropy · justice · fairness · duty
Claim someone did wrong
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- dismissalRemoval from position
contempt · eye-rolling · call-out · partisan · political-correctness · tribal · groupthink · conformity
hypocrisy
Pretense of virtue
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- sanctimonyFeigned moral superiority
- self-righteousnessSmug moral superiority
holier-than-thou · smugness · phony · disingenuous · fakery · inauthenticity · posturing · lip-service · tokenism · superficiality
grandstanding
Performing to impress onlookers
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- hashtagLabeled link for posts
bandwagon · exhibitionism · slacktivism · performative · optics · image · impression · broadcasting · awareness · visibility
ethics
Study of right conduct
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
altruism · compassion · empathy · humanitarianism · benevolence · philanthropy · justice · fairness · duty · goodness
accusation
Claim someone did wrong
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
dismissal · contempt · eye-rolling · call-out · partisan · political-correctness · tribal · groupthink · conformity · in-group
virtue-signallingdirect action
Confrontational political tactics
boots on the ground · skin in the game · leading by example · rolling up one's sleeves
virtue, signal, virtues, virtuous, virtuously, virtuousness, signals, signalled, signaling