virtue signaler
Ethics for applause
A virtue signaler is someone who publicly expresses moral values or political opinions primarily to demonstrate their own goodness rather than to effect change.
The term is dismissive, implying the person cares more about appearing virtuous than being virtuous: She called him a virtue signaler for posting about climate change while flying private.
Often used by political conservatives to criticize progressive public statements.
Smugly moralistic toward others
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- piousFaithfully devoted to worship
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
judgmental · superior · hypocritical · preachy · moralistic · priggish · self-satisfied · haughty
Feigns virtue falsely
- performativeDone for appearance's sake
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- shallowWithout much depth
- tokenismSuperficial inclusion efforts
superficial · smugness · pandering · grandstanding · lip service · sanctimonious · platitude · cynical
Insincere behavior for effect
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- showyExcessively eye-catching
- showboatOstentatious attention-seeker
pretentious · affected · spectacle · staged · public display · self-promotion · humble brag · photo op
Public cause supporter
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- petitionFormal written appeal
- boycottOrganized economic protest
grassroots · awareness · solidarity · social justice · equality · rights · activist · rally
holier-than-thou
Smugly moralistic toward others
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- piousFaithfully devoted to worship
condescending · judgmental · superior · hypocritical · preachy · moralistic · priggish · self-satisfied · haughty · snobbish
hypocrite
Feigns virtue falsely
- performativeDone for appearance's sake
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- shallowWithout much depth
tokenism · superficial · smugness · pandering · grandstanding · lip service · sanctimonious · platitude · cynical · self-serving
posturing
Insincere behavior for effect
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- ostentatiousShowily excessive
- showyExcessively eye-catching
showboat · pretentious · affected · spectacle · staged · public display · self-promotion · humble brag · photo op · social media
advocate
Public cause supporter
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- petitionFormal written appeal
boycott · grassroots · awareness · solidarity · social justice · equality · rights · activist · rally · nonprofit
virtue signalertrue believer
Completely committed adherent
anonymous donor · unsung hero · humble servant · practitioner · doer
virtue signalercontrarian
Chronic majority-opposer
whistleblower · conscientious objector · maverick · truth-teller · gadfly
virtue, signal, virtues, virtuous, virtuously, virtuousness, signals, signaled, signaling