sanctimonious
[sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uh s]
adjective
making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness, etc.: They resented his sanctimonious comments on immorality in America.
Obsolete. holy; sacred.
Origin of sanctimonious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for sanctimoniousness
duplicity, falsity, cant, casuistry, affectation, double-dealing, lie, deception, dishonesty, quackery, speciousness, imposture, mockery, insincerity, pietism, sanctimony, deceit, irreverence, fraud, bigotryExamples from the Web for sanctimoniousness
Contemporary Examples of sanctimoniousness
“One of his weaknesses is his sanctimoniousness,” says this person, who wished to remain anonymous.
So there's a time to be humble and a time to be indignant, sanctimoniousness, a scold, etc.
Historical Examples of sanctimoniousness
He has a sharp round face which has not been spoiled by sanctimoniousness.
Our Churches and ChapelsAtticus
I feel sure we generally miss the force of these words through our Caucasian sanctimoniousness.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
Thus the novel fires many a sanctimoniousness, makes lurid many a hesitating life.
A Novelist on NovelsW. L. George
Tall and lean, immaculate and trim, he exhales an atmosphere of sanctimoniousness.
Prison Memoirs of an AnarchistAlexander Berkman
Last week three of his 'prentices bolted because they could not stand his sanctimoniousness any longer.
The Day of WrathMaurus Jkai
sanctimonious
adjective
Word Origin for sanctimonious
C17: from Latin sanctimonia sanctity, from sanctus holy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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sanctimonious
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper