1
Core quality
Making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
Example
The sanctimonious speech condemned habits the speaker privately shared.
sanctimonious
/ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊniəs/ · sank-tih-MOH-nee-usadjective
Making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
Use sanctimonious to express this relationship precisely: making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
What sanctimonious Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Her sanctimonious remarks implied that disagreement reflected moral failure.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The essay is principled without sounding sanctimonious.
Use sanctimonious Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The sanctimonious speech condemned habits the speaker privately shared.
Her sanctimonious remarks implied that disagreement reflected moral failure.
The essay is principled without sounding sanctimonious.
Precision Matters
Sanctimonious overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
sanctimonious
vs.Means making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
arrogant
Means having or displaying an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, ability, or superiority.
sanctimonious
vs.Means making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
supercilious
Means behaving as though one is superior to others; haughty and disdainful.
sanctimonious
vs.Means making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
pedantic
Means overly concerned with displaying knowledge, enforcing minor rules, or correcting small details.
sanctimonious
vs.Means making an exaggerated display of moral superiority or righteousness, often hypocritically.
disingenuous
Means not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
Test sanctimonious in Context
He makes a hypocritical display of moral superiority.
1
The official's ___ lecture portrayed him as morally flawless, despite evidence of his own misconduct.