sanctimonious
sanctimonious
Pronunciation
/ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs/
sanc-: /sæŋk/
/s/ as in "sun"
/æ/ as in "cat"
/ŋ/ as in "sing"
/k/ as in "key"
ti-: /tɪ/
/t/ as in "tea"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
mo-: /moʊ/
/moʊ/ as in "moan"
ni-: /ni/
/ni/ as in "knee"
ous: /əs/
/ə/ as in "about"
/s/ as in "sun"
Word Form Variations
sanctimonious (adjective):
This is the base form of the word, describing someone who makes a show of being morally superior.
sanctimoniously (adverb):
This form describes the manner in which someone acts in a sanctimonious way. For example, "He spoke sanctimoniously about the virtues of charity."
sanctimoniousness (noun):
This noun refers to the state or quality of being sanctimonious. For example, "We were all tired of his sanctimoniousness."
sanctimony (noun):
This is a related noun, that also refers to hypocritical pious devotion, or righteousness.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: sanctimonious
Definition: Characterized by a hypocritical or exaggerated display of moral superiority; making a show of being more virtuous than others, often while secretly harboring less noble intentions.
Example: "His sanctimonious lectures on ethics were undermined by his own dishonest business practices."
Synonyms:
self-righteous
hypocritical
pious
moralizing
preachy
holier-than-thou
Antonyms:
genuine
sincere
humble
unassuming
authentic
Adverb: sanctimoniously
Definition: In a manner that exhibits a hypocritical or exaggerated display of moral superiority.
Example: "She spoke sanctimoniously about the importance of honesty, even though she had just lied to her friend."
Synonyms:
self-righteously
hypocritically
piously
moralizingly
preachily
Antonyms:
genuinely
sincerely
humbly
authentically
Noun: sanctimoniousness
Definition: The quality or state of being sanctimonious; a hypocritical display of moral superiority.
Example: "The politician's sanctimoniousness alienated many voters who saw through his facade."
Synonyms:
self-righteousness
hypocrisy
piety (often false)
moralizing
priggishness
Antonyms:
sincerity
humility
authenticity
genuineness
Noun: sanctimony
Definition: Hypocritical or affected piety or righteousness.
Example: "His speech was full of sanctimony, but lacked any real substance."
Synonyms:
hypocrisy
self-righteousness
pretense of piety
false devotion
Antonyms:
sincerity
honesty
genuineness
real piety
Examples of Use
Political Discourse:
"Donald Trump recently nicknamed Ron DeSantis, a Republican contender for the 2024 presidential elections, “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Trump used this negative nickname to try to get people to see DeSantis as a hypocrite." (ProWritingAid)
"We have just heard a self-serving, self-seeking, sanctimonious and tawdry little speech." (Hansard archive, via Cambridge Dictionary) This shows its use in political debate.
News and Online Publications:
"The British press at its worst is intrusive, sanctimonious and spiteful." (The Economist) This shows its use in describing media behavior.
"Most yawn that Mark Zuckerberg and Pope Francis have given one too many sanctimonious rants that project their own hypocrisies." (National Review) This shows its use in describing public figures.
"Sports writing scolds come off as sanctimonious at best." (The Enquirer) This shows its use in sports journalism.
Literature and Entertainment:
"Every good quality runs into a defect; economy borders on avarice, the generous are not far from the prodigal, the brave man is close to the bully; he who is very pious is slightly sanctimonious..." (Victor Hugo, Les Misérables) This shows its use in classic literature.
"Acting all sanctimonious while spouting bad info was a terrible way to win a debate, but a great way to piss people off.” (Becky Chambers, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.) this shows its use in modern fiction.
"The villains of his films are always the most sanctimonious players with the loudest moral outrage, on both the left and the right." (Town & Country) This shows its use in film criticism.
General Public Discourse:
The word is often used in online forums and social media to criticize individuals or groups perceived as displaying hypocritical moral superiority.
It's also used in everyday conversations to express frustration with someone who is perceived as being overly judgmental or self-righteous.
10 Famous Quotes Using Sanctimonious
"I have a zero tolerance for sanctimonious morons who try to scare people." (Pat Robertson)
"There exists in some parts of the world sanctimonious criticism of America's death penalty, as somehow unworthy of a civilized society." (Antonin Scalia)
"We have just heard a self-serving, self-seeking, sanctimonious and tawdry little speech." (Hansard archive, via Cambridge Dictionary)
"Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the Ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched." (Edmund Morgan)
"I have a big problem when the sanctimonious, holier than thou congressmen and women go on national television for six hours and beat somebody up with a stick, and not because I'm 'Ms. Manners.' That's not what bothers me. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." (Bernard Goldberg)
"Trump gives progressives a way to channel whatever guilt they might have - whether from preventing homebuilding, benefitting from unfair taxes and pensions, or depriving black and Latino students the teacher quality and school funding they need - into a sanctimonious tribal rage against Republican racism." (Michael Shellenberger)
"Even if people do wrong, we're social animals, so what can we do about stopping them doing the same things in future? Saying people are 'bad' or 'evil' is just an unwillingness to engage; an unwillingness to try to empathise. That sanctimonious attitude doesn't help anyone." (Denise Mina)
"Joe Lieberman can be cloying and sanctimonious." (Jacob Weisberg)
"Sports writing scolds come off as sanctimonious at best." (The Enquirer)
"The British press at its worst is intrusive, sanctimonious and spiteful." (The Economist)
Etymology
The Roots:
The core of "sanctimonious" comes from the Latin word "sanctus," which means "holy" or "sacred." Think of words like "sanctuary" or "saint"—they share this root.
Then we add the latin word "mōnia" which means actions, or customs.
Finally the english suffix "ous" is added, which means "full of"
Putting It Together:
So, originally, to be "sanctimonious" meant to be "full of holy actions or customs."
The Shift in Meaning:
However, over time, the word took on a negative twist. It went from simply describing someone who was very religious to describing someone who pretended to be very religious, often to make themselves look better than others.
Essentially, it became associated with hypocrisy—putting on a show of holiness without actually being sincere.
First Known Use:
The word "sanctimonious" first appeared in the 17th century. It quickly developed its negative connotation, reflecting the idea of someone being overly or falsely pious.
In Simple Terms:
Imagine someone who constantly talks about how good and moral they are, but their actions don't match their words. That's what "sanctimonious" means. It's about a fake kind of holiness, a show of being better than everyone else.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sanctimonious
Phrases Using "Sanctimonious":
"A sanctimonious tone": This refers to the way someone speaks, conveying a sense of false piety.
"Sanctimonious pronouncements": This describes statements made with a hypocritical air of moral superiority.
"To give a sanctimonious lecture": This describes the act of someone giving a speech that is full of false piety.
"To take a sanctimonious stance": To act as if one is morally superior.
Idioms with Synonyms (Capturing the Essence):
"To be on a high horse": This idiom means to act superior and judgmental, similar to being sanctimonious.
"To preach from an ivory tower": This refers to someone who gives moral advice without understanding or experiencing the realities of other people's lives.
"To throw stones from a glass house": this idiom describes the act of criticizing others for flaws that one also has.
"To wear a halo": To act as if one is a saint.
"To have a holier-than-thou attitude": This is a very common way to describe the behavior that "sanctimonious" implies.
"To put on airs": To behave in a way that shows you think you are better than other people.
Original Phrases:
"The cloak of sanctimonious virtue": This phrase evokes the image of someone hiding their true intentions behind a facade of morality.
"A sanctimonious echo chamber": This describes a group or environment where hypocritical moralizing is reinforced.
While there aren't many widely used idioms with "sanctimonious" itself, these alternatives effectively convey the same meaning.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sanctimonious from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
