holier-than-thou

adjective

ho·​li·​er-than-thou ˌhō-lē-ər-t͟hən-ˈt͟hau̇ 

: marked by an air of superior piety or morality

Examples of holier-than-thou in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In my novel, Schar’s archnemesis, head deaconess Sheila Battle, began as a typical judgmental, holier-than-thou church lady. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

How anyone ever saw Fried as a holier-than-thou aristocratic formalist is beyond me. — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

But there’s a line between analysis and holier-than-thou bloviation. — Mara Reinstein, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

WalletHub made sure that no state walked away feeling entirely holier-than-thou. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for holier-than-thou

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup