whited sepulcher

noun

: a person inwardly corrupt or wicked but outwardly or professedly virtuous or holy : hypocrite

Word History

Etymology

from the simile in Matthew 23:27

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of whited sepulcher was in 1530

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

white dogwood

whited sepulcher

white dwarf

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Whited sepulcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whited%20sepulcher. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

whited sepulcher

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

contrite