Synonyms of unctuous

unctuous

adjective

ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs 

1

as in fake

not being or expressing what one appears to be or express

an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in oily

overly or insincerely flattering

an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oily
• oleaginous
• sickening
• gushy
• soapy
• hagiographic
• abundant
• fulsome
• adulatory
• demonstrative
• lavish
• extravagant
• cloying
• gushing
• effusive
• artificial
• sanctimonious
• hypocritical
• insincere
• ingratiating
• winning
• uninhibited
• drooling
• mushy
• copious
• slobbering
• backhanded
• slavering
• unreserved
• endearing
• feigned
• profuse
• two-faced
• unrestrained
• mealymouthed
• winsome
• disarming
• left-handed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• genuine
• sincere
• earnest
• true
• honest
• heartfelt
• unaffected
• ingenuous
• unpretentious
• artless
• unfeigned
• unpretending

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unctuous

Made with the unctuous 8-percent-fat milk of the water buffalo—animals that may have arrived in the area via the Normans by way of Sicily, or perhaps by the Goths coming from Central Asia—buffalo mozzarella has been produced at least since the twelfth century. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

In its equilibrium, a good tomato sandwich is juicy and unctuous and appropriately messy, which is praise all too often reserved for hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks or patty melts. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

These are wines that pair beautifully with rich dishes, oily, unctuous fish with tomato, and pasta sauces that are rich and fatty. — Valentina Di Donato, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Here are details on the sweet, tiny bites of unctuous decadence, and the fluffy, bogus cones best left in the freezer. — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

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