Pronunciation: [sɛntˈɛnʃəsnəs] (IPA) 
Sententiousness is a word that denotes a tendency to moralize excessively. It is pronounced as /senˈtenʃəsnəs/. The initial 'sen' is pronounced as /sen/, while the 't' is silent, giving the pronunciation of /tenʃ/. The 'ious' adds to the quality of possessing the trait, and the ending 'ness' represents the form of a noun. It is a long and complex word, and its correct spelling can pose a challenge for some individuals.
Sententiousness refers to the quality or state of being sententious, characterized by a concise and authoritative style of speech or writing that is often intended to convey some moral or philosophical wisdom. It is marked by the usage of short, pithy, and epigrammatic statements or maxims that are regarded as self-evident truths.
A sententious person often tends to be moralizing or didactic, offering moral guidance or philosophical insights in a succinct and assertive manner. They tend to express their thoughts or opinions in brief and assertive statements that may come across as preachy, judgmental, or pedantic. Sententiousness can be seen as a rhetorical style employed to emphasize the importance or implicational value of certain ideas, beliefs, or values.
The use of sententiousness can be found in various literary works, religious texts, and philosophical treatises. It is often used to impart a sense of timeless wisdom, urging the reader or listener to reflect upon the moral, ethical, or philosophical implications of the statements being made. However, excessive use of sententiousness can come across as pompous, clichéd, or overly didactic, and may be regarded as a negative trait.
Brevity and pithiness in expression; a dark sentence, a saying not easily understood.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "sententiousness" is derived from the adjective "sententious", which in turn comes from the Latin word "sententiosus". In Latin, "sententiosus" is derived from "sententia", meaning "opinion, thought, or judgment". The suffix "-ness" is added to the adjective "sententious" to form the noun "sententiousness", indicating the quality or state of being sententious. Sententiousness refers to the tendency or characteristic of being excessively moralizing, self-righteous, or expressive of aphorisms or maxims.
