as in pious
formal + disapproving
pretending to be morally better than other people
sanctimonious politicians A sanctimonious speech from someone who refused to acknowledge his own past failings.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctimonious
Each is open-minded and empathetic, though neither is sanctimonious about those qualities.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
The league, however, does not consider alcohol a performance enhancer, and only the most sanctimonious of voters would hold those challenges against him.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Judy Berman, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
The league, however, does not consider alcohol a performance enhancer, and only the most sanctimonious of voters would hold those challenges against him.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctimonious
Adjective
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Each letter comes across as a set piece, a small achievement of style and tone: Vasari’s flowery, deferential missives to the duke, Maria’s youthful ardor and confusion, the overly pious cattiness of a nun.—
Chelsea Leu,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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For pious viewers who may traditionally shy away from the horror genre, The Bondsman may surprise with some very tender and spiritual moments.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And the testing is meaningless unless people are also being connected to treatment as quickly as possible.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Shaking your fist at the fools who started the First World War and condemned millions to a meaningless death seems jejune; historians teach us to say that the generals did their best under impossible conditions.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctimonious. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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