In a sanctimonious manner; in a way that shows you believe you are morally superior to other people. This involves making a show of piety or righteousness, often in a hypocritical or insincere way. It suggests a self-righteous attitude and a tendency to judge others harshly, while frequently overlooking one's own faults. This behavior can be perceived as irritating, condescending, and off-putting, creating distance and resentment among individuals. The term highlights the contrast between an outward display of virtue and an underlying lack of genuine moral integrity.
Sanctimoniously meaning with examples
- The politician, after accepting a hefty donation from a tobacco company, sanctimoniously declared his commitment to public health, his words ringing hollow to the cynical observers in the crowd. This blatant hypocrisy, displayed for all to see, demonstrated a callous disregard for moral principles.
- After failing to return a library book for months, Sarah sanctimoniously lectured her friend about the importance of honesty and following the rules, ignoring the glaring contrast between her actions and her words. This self-righteous lecture didn't go down well.
- The churchgoer, known for his gossip and judgmental remarks, sanctimoniously criticized his neighbor for wearing casual clothes to a service, completely unaware of his own flaws. This act of moral posturing and fault-finding alienated others.
- Having profited immensely from exploiting cheap labor overseas, the CEO sanctimoniously announced his company's new charitable initiative, attempting to mask the ethical compromises his business was founded on. This sudden display was not received well.
Sanctimoniously Synonyms
complacently holier-than-thou hypocritically piously preachingly self-approvingly self-righteously virtuouslySanctimoniously Antonyms
candidly genuinely humblly meekly modestly sincerely unpretentiouslySanctimoniously Crossword Answers
7 Letters
PIOUSLY
15 Letters
SELFRIGHTEOUSLY