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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Recent Examples of sanctimonious
This is the sanctimonious language of social media — the tone and medium Adichie criticized in her 2021 blog post — not of a nuanced social novel.
—
Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
My point is simply that these perspectives have been so abused in America that God has become a sanctimonious prop that has more to do with a person’s politics than with any authentic spiritual insight.
—B.g. White, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
My point is simply that these perspectives have been so abused in America that God has become a sanctimonious prop that has more to do with a person’s politics than with any authentic spiritual insight.
—B.g. White, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctimonious
Adjective
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Ahmad’s pious cousin Ibrahim insists that Hassan must be killed.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
3 Aug. 2024
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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
Adjective
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And yet, in certain ways, the film doesn’t go as deep as Orwell’s observations; its choice of illustrative material generally hews to contemporary party lines, even while showcasing wise words that render such distinctions all but meaningless.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
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Passion projects are paused indefinitely, tasks feel meaningless, and things at work that used to make sense now just seem pointless.—
Lindsay Kohler,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctimonious. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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