View synonyms for sententious

sententious

[ sen-ten-shuhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims:
a sententious book.
given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.
Synonyms: moralistic, sanctimonious, didactic, preachy
given to or using pithy sayings or maxims:
a sententious poet.
of the nature of a maxim; pithy.

sententious

/ sɛnˈtɛnʃəs /

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

C15: from Latin sententiōsus full of meaning, from sententia; see sentence

"No fief can remain in the possession of a woman," was the sententious utterance of the bailiff.

“He may delay his defense if he like,” said a sententious young officer to whom I had imparted this natural wish.

Another long and deliberate pause succeeded these sententious questions and ready replies.

As soon as the door had closed behind him, several of the gamesters exchanged sententious nods and glances.

Thus appealed to, however, he answered his friend in his ordinary sententious manner.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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