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Definitions

sanctimonious

[sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uhs] / ˌsæŋk təˈmoʊ ni əs /
ADJECTIVE
self-righteous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hypocritical insincere pious self-satisfied smug stuffy
WEAK
Pecksniffian bigoted canting deceiving false goody-goody holier-than-thou pharisaical pietistic preachy unctuous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forthright honest open sincere unsure
WEAK
humble meek modest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And their sanctimonious approach to history becomes very tiresome very quickly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Audiences didn’t want to hear any sanctimonious songwriting from their pop star du jour.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2025

"It would be so sanctimonious without any humour in it."

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2025

Carter also had a self-righteousness that could present as starchy and sanctimonious, a trait he exhibited even in his good works once he left the White House.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2024

Let every last one of them glean themselves, and we can be done with their self-loathing, sanctimonious ways.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.