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Definition of sanctimonious

sanctimonious

/ˌsæŋk.təˈmoʊ.ni.əs/
sanc · ti · mo · ni · ous
Adverb:sanctimoniously
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sanctimonious Lexical Profile

sanctimonious Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Making a show of being morally or religiously superior to other people; hypocritically devout or pious.

Example

"The committee members grew tired of his sanctimonious lectures about workplace ethics when his own department failed the audit."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sanctimonious
Antonyms
View all antonyms for sanctimonious

Word Nuance & Usage

Although originally used in a literal sense to mean genuinely holy or devout, 'sanctimonious' is now used exclusively in a derogatory way to criticize someone who makes a hypocritical display of moral or religious superiority.

• Rhymes for sanctimonious

• Nearby Words

sanchez
sanchezia
sanctify
sanctimonious
sanction
sanctionable
sanctity

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 17th century, derived from the English noun 'sanctimony', which comes from the Latin 'sanctimonia' (holiness, sacredness, or virtuousness), itself rooted in 'sanctus' (holy).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sanctimonious. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sanctimonious
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