sanctimony
nounUK /ˈsæŋk.tɪ.mə.ni/ · US /ˈsæŋk.tɪˌmoʊ.ni/
Etymology From Middle French sanctimonie, from Latin sānctimōnia (“sanctity, sacredness; purity, chastity”), from sanctus (“holy”) + -monia (“action or result of an action”).
1
A hypocritical form of excessive piety, considered to be an affectation merely for public show.
- At its best[…] “The Newsroom” has a wit, sophistication and manic energy that recalls James L. Brooks’s classic movie “Broadcast News.” But at its worst, the show chokes on its own sanctimony.2012 June 21, Alessandra Stanley, “So Sayeth the Anchorman”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2
Obsolete A state of holiness.
- Derived terms
- sanctimommy
- Related terms
- sanctimonious, sanctimoniousness, self-righteous, phony, holier-than-thou, virtue signalling