as in pious
formal + disapproving
pretending to be morally better than other people
sanctimonious politicians A sanctimonious speech from someone who refused to acknowledge his own past failings.
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Recent Examples of sanctimonious
Each is open-minded and empathetic, though neither is sanctimonious about those qualities.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
The league, however, does not consider alcohol a performance enhancer, and only the most sanctimonious of voters would hold those challenges against him.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Judy Berman, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 17 Jan. 2025
He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
The league, however, does not consider alcohol a performance enhancer, and only the most sanctimonious of voters would hold those challenges against him.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanctimonious
Cite this Entry
“Sanctimonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctimonious. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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