SANCTIMONIOUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Sanctimonious is an adjective used to describe someone who displays an exaggerated or false sense of righteousness or piety, particularly in a hypocritical manner. The term is often associated with individuals who claim to be morally superior or virtuous without genuinely embodying these qualities. These people tend to make a public display of their supposed religious or moral beliefs, while simultaneously judging or criticizing others for not meeting their perceived standards.
At its core, sanctimonious behavior involves self-righteous posturing, where individuals put themselves on a pedestal and present themselves as the epitome of moral virtue. They may use their outwardly religious or virtuous demeanor as a shield to hide their underlying selfish or judgmental tendencies. This behavior often involves pretending to be morally superior in order to gain approval or power over others, instead of genuinely living up to the ideals they espouse.
It is important to note that sanctimonious behavior is generally seen as negative and insincere, as it often involves a lack of genuine empathy or humility. Those who are described as sanctimonious typically display a holier-than-thou attitude, looking down upon others for not meeting their perceived moral or ethical standards.
In summary, sanctimonious refers to someone who hypocritically or insincerely displays an exaggerated sense of moral superiority, often using their alleged religious or virtuous qualities to judge or manipulate others.
-
Saintly; holy; devout; having the appearance of sanctity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SANCTIMONIOUS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SANCTIMONIOUS
Etymology of SANCTIMONIOUS
The word "sanctimonious" is derived from the Latin word "sanctimoniosus", which means "sanctimonious" or "piety". It is formed by combining the Latin words "sanctus", meaning "holy" or "sacred", and "monium", which denotes a state or condition. Over time, the word evolved in English to its current form, referring to someone who pretends to be morally superior or excessively righteous, often in a hypocritical manner.
Similar spelling words for SANCTIMONIOUS
