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Pharisaism

American  
[far-uh-say-iz-uhm] / ˈfær ə seɪˌɪz əm /
Also Phariseeism

noun

  1. the principles and practices of the Pharisees.

  2. (lowercase) rigid observance of external forms of religion or conduct without genuine piety; hypocrisy.


Pharisaism British  
/ ˈfærɪsiːˌɪzəm, ˈfærɪseɪˌɪzəm /

noun

  1. Judaism the tenets and customs of the Pharisees

  2. (often not capital) observance of the external forms of religion without genuine belief; hypocrisy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of Pharisaism

From the New Latin word Pharisaismus, dating back to 1595–1605. See Pharisaic, -ism


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.

See Examples For:

His smirking and somewhat subversive accommodation to this Pharisaism is to emphasize the ways in which Black English is more complex than Standard English.

From The New Yorker ● May 8, 2017

Emphasis on visible authority and external practices had brought the Roman Catholic Church, they thought, to Pharisaism and travesty; they hoped to avoid the same pitfall by stressing an inward spirituality.

From Time Magazine Archive

In spite of all its exclusiveness the desire for making proselytes, especially in the Diaspora, was in the blood of Pharisaism.

From History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7) by Neil Buchanan

It might be Pharisaism, but if we look in the direction of Judaism, it is most natural that we should think of a Judaism resembling that of the Essenes.

From The Books of the New Testament by Leighton Pullan

Her attitude of certainty and conviction in the doctrines which she championed was branded and denounced as "intolerance," "bigotry," "narrow-mindedness," "exclusiveness," "aloofness," "pride," "Pharisaism," etc.

From American Lutheranism Volume 2: The United Lutheran Church (General Synod, General Council, United Synod in the South) by F. (Friedrich) Bente

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