Need another word for Sanctimonious? Use these synonyms of Sanctimonious from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
self-righteous
holier-than-thou
hypocritical
pious
moralistic
righteous
virtuous
smug
complacent
superior
condescending
patronizing
judgmental
critical
disapproving
censorious
preachy
sermonizing
moralizing
goody-goody
goody-two-shoes
sanctified
saintly
angelic
heavenly
divine
godly
devout
reverent
pure
chaste
immaculate
spotless
faultless
blameless
irreproachable
unimpeachable
Meaning of Sanctimonious
having or showing a wish to be considered more moral or righteous than others
Definitions
- Having or showing a strong moral sense, often in a way that is considered annoying or insincere
- * Having or expressing a hypocritically pious or self-righteous attitude
Etymology of Sanctimonious
The word "sanctimonious" has its roots in the Latin words "sanctus" meaning holy and "monere" meaning to warn or advise, with the suffix "-ious" forming an adjective
The term originated in the 15th century, initially used to describe someone who is genuinely holy or devout, but over time it took on a more negative connotation, implying hypocrisy or insincerity
Example Uses
- The politician's sanctimonious speech about corruption was met with skepticism by the public
- * Her sanctimonious attitude towards her colleagues made it difficult for her to build strong relationships
- * The company's sanctimonious advertising campaign was criticized for being insincere and manipulative
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
humble
modest
unassuming
unpretentious
sincere
genuine
honest
open-minded
tolerant
accepting
non-judgmental
empathetic
compassionate
kind
gentle
mild
moderate
balanced
fair
impartial
unbiased
unbigoted
broad-minded