Pharisaism
Americannoun
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the principles and practices of the Pharisees.
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(lowercase) rigid observance of external forms of religion or conduct without genuine piety; hypocrisy.
noun
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Judaism the tenets and customs of the Pharisees
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(often not capital) observance of the external forms of religion without genuine belief; hypocrisy
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.
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
I reserve them, perhaps, for a more private and personal document; and I may in this way relieve myself from some at least of the risks of falling into an odious Pharisaism.
From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1 (of 3) 1809-1859 by John Morley
This is strong language, but not too strong considering the author's abhorrence of exclusiveness, separation, Pharisaism, and his identification of this with official religion.
From Recollections and Impressions 1822-1890 by Octavius Brooks Frothingham
Pharisaism, therefore, whether Jewish or Gentile, ancient or modern, which replaces the moral law by casuistry, and the enlightened judgment of the individual by the confessional, creates a narrow character and mechanical morals.
From The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit by Ralph Waldo Trine
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