sanctimonious

[ sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uh s ]

/ ˌsæŋk təˈmoʊ ni əs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sanctimonious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness, etc.: They resented his sanctimonious comments on immorality in America.

Obsolete. holy; sacred.

Nearby words

sancerre, sanchez, sancho panza, sanctified, sanctify, sanctimonious, sanctimony, sanction, sanction mark, sanctitude, sanctity

Origin of sanctimonious

First recorded in 1595–1605; sanctimony + -ous

Related forms

sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ly, adverbsanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ness, nounnon·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous, adjectivenon·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ly, adverb

non·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ness, nounun·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous, adjectiveun·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ly, adverbun·sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sanctimoniousness

“One of his weaknesses is his sanctimoniousness,” says this person, who wished to remain anonymous.
How Mike Daisey’s Zeal Got the Best of Him|Jacob Bernstein|March 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So there's a time to be humble and a time to be indignant, sanctimoniousness, a scold, etc.
The Dos and Don'ts of Confessing Affairs|The Daily Beast Video|December 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Others may call such jealous searchings of spirit “sanctimoniousness” and “enthusiasm.”
The Mind of Jesus|John R. Macduff
True sanctity and sanctimoniousness are entirely different things.
Practical Religion|John Charles Ryle

He has a sharp round face which has not been spoiled by sanctimoniousness.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
Tall and lean, immaculate and trim, he exhales an atmosphere of sanctimoniousness.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
I feel sure we generally miss the force of these words through our Caucasian sanctimoniousness.
The Conquest of Fear|Basil King

British Dictionary definitions for sanctimoniousness

sanctimonious

/ (ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊnɪəs) /

adjective

affecting piety or making a display of holiness

Derived Forms

sanctimoniously, adverbsanctimoniousness, nounsanctimony, noun

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012