Synonyms of sanctimonious

sanctimonious

adjective

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.

Related Words

• pious
• meaningless
• hollow
• moralistic
• strained
• superficial
• hypocritical
• pharisaical
• dishonest
• self-righteous
• fake
• holier-than-thou
• unctuous
• insincere
• false
• forced
• phony
• double
• simon-pure
• mechanical
• contrived
• feigned
• goody-goody
• backhanded
• unnatural
• artificial
• lip
• sham
• counterfeit
• canting
• phony-baloney
• mealy
• jive
• two-faced
• rectitudinous
• simulated
• assumed
• deceitful
• mealymouthed
• empty
• claptrap
• affected
• double-faced
• glib
• pretended
• Janus-faced
• untruthful
• put-on
• double-dealing
• devious
• Pecksniffian
• facile
• left-handed
• bogus
• facetious
• jocular
• tongue-in-cheek
• campy

Dissimilar Words

• sincere
• genuine
• honest
• heartfelt
• artless
• candid
• unfeigned
• direct
• forthright
• plain
• frank
• straightforward
• open
• undesigning
• heart-to-heart

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sanctimonious

The 34-year-old Haim, a successful musician who with just four roles in five quick years has also established herself as one of our most fascinating actresses, plays this turn from cheerful bud to sanctimonious hater perfectly. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026

The Pope has been criticized by sanctimonious warmongers for being inappropriately religious. — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026

The spiral of events that follow ups the pathos while quietly commenting on rigid patriarchal rules, male privilege, sanctimonious moral posturing, the denial of women’s bodily autonomy and contempt for otherness, things all still very much with us today. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026

There’s nothing sanctimonious about insisting on civil rights for transgender people nor about fighting for racial justice. — Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

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