sanctimonious
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for sanctimonious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Acting as though one is morally superior to others, especially in a smug or hypocritical way.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sanctimonious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sanctimonious tone
sanctimonious lecture
Etymology
From "sanctimony" (an outward show of holiness) plus the adjective ending "-ous."
Full origin of sanctimonious →Frequently asked questions
What does “sanctimonious” mean?
The word “sanctimonious” means acting as though one is morally superior to others, especially in a smug or hypocritical way. In plain terms, preachy and self-righteous — putting on a show of being more virtuous than everyone else.
How do you pronounce “sanctimonious”?
“Sanctimonious” is pronounced sangk-tih-MOH-nee-uhs (/ˌsæŋk.tɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “sanctimonious” in a sentence?
Here is “sanctimonious” used in a sentence: “His sanctimonious lecture on honesty rang hollow, given his own track record.”
What part of speech is “sanctimonious”?
“Sanctimonious” is an adjective.
