Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sanctimony

noun
/sæŋkˈtɪməni/
Definition
The act of demonstrating or expressing exaggerated piety or righteousness.
Examples
  • His sanctimony about environmental issues was hard to take, given his own wasteful habits.
  • She always speaks with a tone of sanctimony when discussing ethical practices.
Meaning
Sanctimony refers to the pretense of being morally superior to others, often through hypocritical means.
Synonyms
  • Hypocrisy
  • Self-righteousness
  • Pharisaism
  • Pretense