sanctimony
English
Etymology
From Middle French sanctimonie, from Latin sānctimōnia (“sanctity, sacredness; purity, chastity”), from sanctus (“holy”) + -monia (“action or result of an action”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈsæŋk.tɪˌməʊ.ni/, /ˈsæŋk.təˌməʊ.ni/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈsæŋk.tɪˌmoʊ.ni/, /ˈsæŋk.təˌmoʊ.ni/
Noun
sanctimony (countable and uncountable, plural sanctimonies)
- A hypocritical form of excessive piety, considered to be an affectation merely for public show.
- 2012 June 21, Alessandra Stanley, “So Sayeth the Anchorman”, in The New York Times, ISSN 0362-4331:
- 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.
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Related terms
- sanctimonious
- sanctimoniousness
Translations
a hypocritical form of excessive piety
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See also
- self-righteous
- phony
- holier-than-thou
- virtue signalling