holier-than-thou
Americanadjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of holier-than-thou
First recorded in 1910–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Plus I get to be holier-than-thou to almost everyone I know!
From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2023
Longtime friends lauded Hartmire’s ability to weave his community into social justice causes without coming across as holier-than-thou.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2022
In 2000, the United States was introduced to the Toyota Prius, marketed as a holier-than-thou, eco-friendly choice.
From Salon ● Nov. 28, 2022
“Being green is not a charitable sort of self-flagellating, holier-than-thou exercise. It’s a good business model. That’s what we’d like to show,” said Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin.
From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2022
This was his regular move, a kind of holier-than-thou decision process that drove Toby nuts.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
