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Glite Dictionary
self-appointed

self-appointed

16 6.0
A person who gives themselves a role without being chosen
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛlf əˈpɔɪntɪd/
translation icon : autoproclamado
  • As the self-appointed party doctor, I'm gonna have to prescribe some Imodium.
  • self-appointed guardian
  • self-appointed spokesman
  • self-appointed ruler

You're the self appointed guardians of our world who did that.

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Examples

  • Meet my self-appointed assistant, Abuk.

    The Constant Gardener (2005)

  • South Dakota and Alabama have become self-appointed combatants in the battle to overrule Quill.

    Academic text (2017)

  • I am a self-appointed historian of those of my generation who are still living.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Whole societies were thrown out of balance as Europe suddenly became the self-appointed center.

    Academic text (1991)

  • I don't believe in the in the self appointed right of strong states to interfere in the affairs of others.

  • Ever since you walked into this room, you've been acting like a self-appointed public avenger.

    12 Angry Men (1957)

  • However, both were self-appointed, and they did not engage in public consultations as they formulated their positions.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Mother Green wondered while Bewie busied himself with some self-appointed task in the kitchen.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Like all self-appointed servants of God and saviors of man, he considers temerity a religious obligation.

    Academic text (2007)

  • He was known as the self-appointed leader of the group, taking charge without anyone electing him.

Synonyms

self-proclaimed
vsself-appointed
27 5.8

A person who says they are an expert or leader without people's acceptance

focuses on declaring status publicly rather than actually taking responsibility
self-styled
vsself-appointed
9 7.3

A person who calls themselves an expert without official authority

involves actually assigning the role to oneself rather than just claiming it
self-constituted
vsself-appointed
  • Formal
8.9

Formed by people without official permission or support

applies to a person who gives themselves a role rather than a group

Antonyms

appointed
  • Formal
3.4

Officially chosen to hold a job or duty

elected
2.8

Chosen by voters to hold public office

How Self-Established

self-appointed
16 6.0
self-constituted
  • Formal
8.9
established
  • Specialized
5.8
appointed
  • Formal
3.4

Surface Forms

self-appointed positive

Morphology

self-appointed = appointed (transparent) = self + appoint + ed

Meaning follows directly from 'self-' (by oneself) + 'appointed' (assigned/placed), so the sense 'having appointed oneself' is inferable.

Etymology

Self-appointed comes from self 'oneself' and appoint 'to choose' or 'give a role'. A helpful way to remember it is to picture someone who 'appoints' themselves to a job or title without anyone else choosing them, which is exactly what 'self-appointed' means.