as in moralistic
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Recent Examples of pharisaical
Lists are no substitute for criticism, but those who take them as inimical to criticism are pharisaical.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2022
David and Samuel explore the U.S. energy sector and evaluate what the future holds in an ESG landscape that has done its very best to bring economic incoherence to its pharisaical agenda.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 16 Jan. 2022
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2022
David and Samuel explore the U.S. energy sector and evaluate what the future holds in an ESG landscape that has done its very best to bring economic incoherence to its pharisaical agenda.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 16 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pharisaical
Adjective
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Taken together, these triumphal and tragic elements constitute the ingredients for an epic historical narrative that defies all moralistic categories, a story rooted in the coexistence of grandeur and failure, brilliance and blindness, grace and sin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Initially, bedtime stories tended to be moralistic tales designed to reinforce obedience and proper behavior.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Forget any sanctimonious spewing sermon about pro sports foolishly believing these types of things would not happen.—
Mac Engel
October 23,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
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Just enough with the sanctimonious explanations.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Supported, at least initially, by his pious wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), and his two teenage daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki), Iman and his clan seem set for a comfy bourgeois life.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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According to Singh, Bishnoi has cultivated the public persona of a pious man dedicated to God and justice.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The book hinges on a conflict between self-righteous Burghers, who live in cities, and resentful, paranoid rural people known as Yeomen.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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WalletHub made sure that no state walked away feeling entirely holier-than-thou.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Aug. 2025
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After all, Bill can be a buzzkill, and the Hills’ other neighbors, such as the conspiratorial Dale Gribble across the alley and the holier-than-thou Minh and Kahn Souphanousinphone next door, are flawed too.—
Adrienne Matei,
The Atlantic,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, felt Lorincz’s courtroom apology was insincere.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To achieve her extremely light displacement, the ClubSwan125 has a deep canting keel to reduce weight and increase righting moment.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes,
6 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Pharisaical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pharisaical. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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