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

The uni—or sea urchin—come from Hokkaido and have an unctuous, egg yolk richness. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 3 Aug. 2026

The unctuous and sweet char siu pork jowl is interspersed with green apple pressed with lime and ginger for a bright and crisp counter to the fatty pig. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

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

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