sanctimonious
word
Definition
Describes someone who pretends to be morally better or more religious than others, often in a way that is annoying or false.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and often negative. Commonly used in criticism to point out hypocritical displays of morality or piety. Often paired with words like 'tone', 'speech', or 'attitude'. Avoid using for neutral or genuinely moral people.
Spanish: santurrón - hipócrita (moral) - mojigatoPortuguese (BR): santimonioso - moralista (hipócrita)Portuguese (PT): santimonioso - beato (pejorativo)Chinese (Simplified): 道貌岸然 - 假裝虔誠Chinese (Traditional): 道貌岸然 - 假裝虔誠Hindi: ढोंगी धार्मिक - पाखंडीArabic: مُتظاهر بالتقوى - متزمت (في الأخلاق)Bengali: ধর্মভীরু - ভণ্ড ধার্মিকRussian: лицемерный - ханжескийJapanese: 偽善的なVietnamese: giả đạo đức - đạo đức giảKorean: 위선적인Turkish: kendini dindar gösteren - ikiyüzlüUrdu: ریاکارIndonesian: munafik - sok suci (munafik agama)
Example Sentences
His sanctimonious attitude annoys everyone in the office.
basic
People disliked her sanctimonious speeches about honesty.
basic
I don't trust his sanctimonious promises.
basic
She gave a sanctimonious smile when she caught me making a mistake.
natural
His sanctimonious tone made it hard to have a real conversation.
natural
Don't be so sanctimonious—nobody's perfect here.
natural