Words / C2

sangkt-i-MOHN-ee-uh-s/ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊniəs/

Sanctimonious means making a show of being morally better than other people — preachy virtue, not virtue itself. Moral is different: a moral argument can be serious and unshowy; sanctimonious is the performance of superiority. Self-righteous is a close synonym; pious can be sincere or, in criticism, fake-holy. Sanctimony is the noun. In speech, preachy or holier-than-thou is the sting. Do not call a quiet ethical stand sanctimonious.

Meaning

Making a show of being morally better than other people (not simply moral).

Examples

• “His sanctimonious lecture annoyed the class.”
• “His sanctimonious lecture on phones came from the man who texts through meetings.”
• “Moral seriousness can be spare; sanctimonious prose cannot stop pointing at itself.”

Good to know

Preachy about virtue; a show of being better. Contrast: moral = actually about right and wrong. Everyday: holier-than-thou. Close: self-righteous.

Near in meaning

self-righteous

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