sententious

American  

[sen-ten-shuhs] / sɛnˈtɛn ʃəs /

adjective

1. abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims.

   a sententious book.

2. given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.

   Synonyms:

   moralistic, sanctimonious, didactic, preachy

3. given to or using pithy sayings or maxims.

   a sententious poet.

4. of the nature of a maxim; pithy.

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sententious British  

/ sɛnˈtɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or full of aphorisms, terse pithy sayings, or axioms

2. constantly using aphorisms, etc

3. tending to indulge in pompous moralizing

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sententiosity
  noun
• sententiousness
  noun
• sententiously
  adverb
• unsententious
  adjective
• nonsententious
  adjective
• nonsententiousness
  noun
• unsententiousness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of sententious

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin sententiōsus “meaningful, pithy”; see sentence, -ous

Explanation

If you speak in sententious phrases, your listeners are probably falling asleep, as your speech is pompous and pretentious, and full of moralistic babble. When sententious first appeared in English — back in the late Middle Ages — it meant "full of wisdom," but now it usually has a negative sense, meaning heavy handed and self-important. The sententious blowhard makes people laugh, and you can probably think of at least three cartoon characters who fit the bill — often a politician or minister who drones on and on, oblivious to the fact that his audience is snickering or trying to sneak out.

Example Sentences

Sententious maxims, put into verse for the better aid of the memory, were known by the Greeks as gnomes, γνῶμαι, from γνώμη, an opinion.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various

Sententious in her didactic passages, she is pure and noble in her sentiment, poetical and impressive in her descriptions of nature.

From George Eliot; a Critical Study of Her Life, Writings & Philosophy by Cooke, George Willis

This Session things have been peculiarly critical, as is shown in the cases of Napoleon Boltonparty and the Sententious Saunders.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 105, September 30th 1893 by Various

Sententious as the opera seems, it is yet puffed out, padded, and bedizened with unessential ornament compared with the story.

From A Second Book of Operas by Krehbiel, Henry Edward

Dear old Mr. Sententious," said she, "did you think you could take me in?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, June 25, 1919 by Various