adj
sanctimonious
sangk-tih-MOH-nee-uhs
Sanctimonious (adj) means acting as though one is morally superior to others, especially in a smug or hypocritical way. Example: “His sanctimonious lecture on honesty rang hollow, given his own track record.”
adj
1
Acting as though one is morally superior to others, especially in a smug or hypocritical way.
"His sanctimonious lecture on honesty rang hollow, given his own track record."
"She hated the sanctimonious tone of the email, as if the sender never made mistakes."
How to use sanctimonious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPreachy and self-righteous — putting on a show of being more virtuous than everyone else.
Common mistake
Almost always negative — don't use it to genuinely praise someone's piety.
Common pairings
sanctimonious tone
sanctimonious lecture
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sanctimonious
- Superlative
- most sanctimonious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ lecture on honesty rang hollow, given his own track record.
Etymology
From "sanctimony" (an outward show of holiness) plus the adjective ending "-ous."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sanctimonious
See all rhymes for 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.
