sanctimony

noun
UK: /ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊni/
US: /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊni/

  1. The expression of having strong moral beliefs or values that you do not really have.

    1. His speech was full of sanctimony about the need for moral behavior.
    2. The politician's sanctimony on family values rang hollow after his affair was exposed showcasing pure sanctimony.

  2. Behavior that shows you think you are morally better than other people.

    1. I can't stand the sanctimony that drips from her every word showcasing pure sanctimony.
    2. The journalist accused the celebrity of sanctimony, pointing out the disparity between her words and actions because of her apparent sanctimony.

Synonyms

hypocrisy pietism

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "sanctimony" in English means: The expression of having strong moral beliefs or values that you do not really have., Behavior that shows you think you are morally better than other people..

The phonetic transcription of "sanctimony" is /ˌsæŋktɪˈməʊni/ in British English and /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊni/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "sanctimony": hypocrisy, pietism.

Example usage of "sanctimony": "His speech was full of sanctimony about the need for moral behavior.". More examples on the page.