sanctimoniousness
/,sæɳkti'mounjəsnis/ Cách viết khác : (sanctimony) /'sæɳktiməni/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The quality of being hypocritically devout or pious: Sanctimoniousness refers to the state or characteristic of making a show of being morally or religiously superior, often while hiding one's own faults or insincerity. It implies a false or exaggerated display of holiness.
Usage
The word "sanctimoniousness" is a formal noun used to critically describe a person's behavior or attitude. It highlights the hypocrisy in their outward display of virtue, righteousness, or religious devotion.
Examples
- The politician's speech was filled with such sanctimoniousness that it alienated many voters who saw through the hypocrisy.
- Her constant sanctimoniousness about healthy living was undermined when she was seen smoking behind the building.
- The novel critiques the sanctimoniousness of the town's leading citizens, revealing their secret vices.
Advanced Usage
- "An air of sanctimoniousness": A phrase describing a noticeable atmosphere or impression of hypocritical piety surrounding a person or group.
- The committee chairperson spoke with an air of sanctimoniousness that made honest discussion difficult.
Variants and Related Words
- Sanctimonious (adj): Hypocritically pious or devout.
- He was criticized for his sanctimonious attitude.
- Sanctimony (n): A synonym for sanctimoniousness, meaning hypocritical piety.
- His sanctimony was evident to all who knew him well.
Synonyms
- Hypocrisy: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
- Pharisaism: (Formal) Behavior characterized by strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without genuine piety; hypocrisy.
- Pietism: (Often derogatory) Exaggerated or affected piety.
Antonyms
- Sincerity: The quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy.
- Genuineness: The quality of being truly what something is said to be; authenticity.
- Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance.
Idioms and Phrases
- "To be holier-than-thou": An idiom describing a sanctimonious or self-righteously pious attitude.
- I can't stand his holier-than-thou sanctimoniousness.
- "To preach from a pulpit of [sanctimoniousness]": A metaphorical phrase criticizing someone for delivering moral lectures while being hypocritical.
- The celebrity was accused of preaching from a pulpit of sanctimoniousness about family values.
Noun
- the quality of being hypocritically devout