Pecksniffian

Peck·sniff·ian

adjective \pek-ˈsni-fē-ən\

Definition of PECKSNIFFIAN

: unctuously hypocritical : pharisaical

Examples of PECKSNIFFIAN

1. <a Pecksniffian pandering to religious conservatives, especially in the weeks before the election>

Origin of PECKSNIFFIAN

Seth Pecksniff, character in Martin Chuzzlewit (1843–44) by Charles Dickens

First Known Use: 1849

Related to PECKSNIFFIAN

Synonyms

artificial, backhanded, counterfeit, double, double-dealing, double-faced, fake, feigned, hypocritical, Janus-faced, jive [slang], left-handed, lip, mealy, mealymouthed, insincere, phony (also phoney), phony-baloney (or phoney-baloney), pretended, two-faced, unctuous

Antonyms

artless, candid, genuine, heartfelt, honest, sincere, undesigning, unfeigned

Related Words

affected, assumed, claptrap, contrived, forced, mechanical, put-on, simulated, strained, unnatural; empty, hollow, meaningless; deceitful, devious, dishonest, false, untruthful; facile, glib, superficial; bogus, sham; campy, facetious, jocular, tongue-in-cheek; canting, pharisaical, pious, sanctimonious, self-righteous, simon-pure

Near Antonyms

direct, forthright, frank, heart-to-heart, open, plain, straightforward

Rhymes with PECKSNIFFIAN

Wycliffian