sanctimonious

[ sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness, etc.:

   They resented his sanctimonious comments on immorality in America.

2. Obsolete. holy; sacred.

sanctimonious

/ ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊnɪəs /

adjective

1. affecting piety or making a display of holiness

Derived Forms

• ˌsanctiˈmoniously, adverb
• ˌsanctiˈmoniousness, noun
• ˈsanctimony, noun

Other Word Forms

• sancti·moni·ous·ly adverb
• sancti·moni·ous·ness noun
• nonsanc·ti·moni·ous adjective
• nonsanc·ti·moni·ous·ly adverb
• nonsanc·ti·moni·ous·ness noun
• unsanc·ti·moni·ous adjective
• unsanc·ti·moni·ous·ly adverb
• unsanc·ti·moni·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctimonious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; sanctimony + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctimonious¹

C17: from Latin sanctimonia sanctity, from sanctus holy

Example Sentences

Straughan’s writing deftly considers the moral crises we’re steeped in today without feeling preachy, which is a considerable achievement given that a film about faith is the perfect excuse to be sanctimonious.

From Salon

"It would be so sanctimonious without any humour in it."

From BBC

Carter also had a self-righteousness that could present as starchy and sanctimonious, a trait he exhibited even in his good works once he left the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

Such criminal heroes take on dopey authority figures that are fun for audiences to root against, whether it's sanctimonious cops, rich bankers, or fancy nobles whose wealth needs a little forcible redistribution.

From Salon

Somewhat sanctimonious and totally brazen, they solidified my status and signified that I had “made it” as an athlete.

From Salon

Related Words

• hypocritical
• insincere
• pious
• self-satisfied
• smug
• stuffy