holier-than-thou

adjective

ho·​li·​er-than-thou ˌhō-lē-ər-t͟hən-ˈt͟hau̇ How to pronounce holier-than-thou (audio)
: marked by an air of superior piety or morality

Examples of holier-than-thou in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The story prompted an uproar from fans of Michigan’s Big Ten opponents, who saw Harbaugh as a cheater and Michigan’s holier-than-thou image as a fraud, and urged commissioner Tony Petitti to take action. Austin Meek, The Athletic, 8 Aug. 2024 In scenes together, Cooke’s arch line deliveries and holier-than-thou smirks spark against D’Arcy’s regal defensiveness and cool anger. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 June 2024 Annelle-Inspired Picks The spiritual turnaround of the beauty shop’s new recruit guided our picks for her holier-than-thou shelves. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2024 Aidan is written as a sympathetic character — unlike Big, who comes off much more pompous — but still manipulates Carrie from his holier-than-thou perch. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023 But whether Ben is talking to people he’s known for ages or whom he’s just met, the guy has a knack for being aggressive, holier-than-thou, and sarcastic to a fault. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holier-than-thou was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near holier-than-thou

Cite this Entry

“Holier-than-thou.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holier-than-thou. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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