virtue signallers
Public righteousness performers
Virtue signallers are people who express moral values or political opinions primarily to demonstrate their own righteousness rather than to effect change.
The term is pejorative, implying that the person cares more about appearing virtuous than being virtuous: The virtue signallers on social media were quick to post black squares but slow to donate.
Critics use it to dismiss progressive stances as performative; defenders note it's often deployed to discourage sincere advocacy.
- hypocriteFeigns virtue falsely
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- look at meRequest for attention
- slacktivismEffortless digital cause support
- sanctimonyFeigned moral superiority
hashtag activism · self-righteousness · woke · tokenism · thoughts and prayers · moralizing · identity politics · white savior · impression management · outrage culture · moral high ground · public relations · cancel culture · tribalism · social justice warriors · self-promotion · cultural capital · political correctness
virtue signallerswhistleblowers
Those exposing organizational misconduct
dissenters · conscientious objectors · martyrs · contrarians
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