Sanctimony
/ˈsæŋk.tɪˌmoʊ.ni/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A hypocritical form of excessive piety, considered to be an affectation merely for public show. countable, uncountable
"At its best[…] “The Newsroom” has a wit, sophistication and manic energy that recalls James L. Brooks’s classic movie “Broadcast News.” But at its worst, the show chokes on its own sanctimony."
- 2 the quality of being hypocritically devout wordnet
- 3 A state of holiness. countable, obsolete, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"At its best[…] “The Newsroom” has a wit, sophistication and manic energy that recalls James L. Brooks’s classic movie “Broadcast News.” But at its worst, the show chokes on its own sanctimony."
Etymology
From Middle French sanctimonie, from Latin sānctimōnia (“sanctity, sacredness; purity, chastity”), from sanctus (“holy”) + -monia (“action or result of an action”).