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Virtue brag

Bragging that one voluntarily exercises self restraint in the face of temptation, or takes less than one can out of moral purity or other lofty sensibilities
Tom is virtue bragging about how he paid more for his new yacht because it has more efficient fuel use and doesn't pollute the environment as much.
by Human Peacocking June 6, 2023
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virtue signaling

Something conservatives accuse liberals of doing any time they show any virtue at all.
This person told me I should be nice to gay people, I'm so sick of this virtue signaling!
by q359 June 27, 2023
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Virtue Shark

An internet user (usually on tumblr, discord, or reddit) who makes convoluted claims that a group, event, or idea is morally wrong in order to make themselves seem morally right. Most of the times, their methods involve claiming that something completely innocent and irrelevant is bigoted in some elaborate way. They are common in fandom spaces.
"I've been getting so much hate for writing characters X and Y as romantic in my fanfiction because some virtue shark had to accuse me of "perpetuating the belief" that male and female characters can't be friends. That's not even something I said!
by Dr0w0u$ April 21, 2025
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Virtue Grifter

One who aligns with attitudes or social movements for personal or professional gain.
My city councilor is such a virtue grifter.
by Amacord April 6, 2024
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Similar to da "grandmother approach", but more of a generalized "association wif da elderly" type of "gate-pass" to other people's patience, respect, willingness to accommodate you, etc.; i.e., if you make sure to tell others dat you are procuring an object for and/or assisting a slight-figured and warm/gentle-natured "neighborhood gramma", they'll be all like, "Awwwww... how kind and thoughtful of you!" regarding said endeavor, and thus they'll be more willing to assist you themselves, give you permission/clearance to perform whatever tasks/activities are necessary to complete your helpful task, let you obtain one or more related objects/resources/services either for free or at a much-lower cost, etc, due to their respect and appreciation for older folks and --- by extension --- anyone who's trying to provide "aid and attendance" to one or more of said "wrinkle-city residents".
Da likeable owner at da local general store at da Amish community in northern Maine extended a similar style of praising generosity to me as da classic "sweet little old lady" virtue might have garnered me --- if I was repairing an item for one of da Amish families in his community, said pleasant-and-mild-mannered proprietor would let me have da necessary fasteners and other hardware-materials for free.
by QuacksO January 18, 2026
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