virtue signaling

A form of virtue signalling — The practice of expressing a particular opinion or performing a particular action in an attempt to make oneself look virtuous: commonly defensively in response to, or anticipation of, criticism; or aggressively, in assuming a moral posture in attacking an opponent.

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Meanings

nounvirtue signaling (uncountable)
  1. USuncountableUS form of virtue signalling.
Cite this entry
APA

virtue signaling. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virtue%20signaling

MLA

“virtue signaling.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virtue%20signaling. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “virtue signaling,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virtue%20signaling.

Source: virtue signaling on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.