Sanctimonious
/ˌsæŋk.tɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/noun
Making a show of being morally superior to other people.
Did you know?The term 'sanctimonious' originally carried a mocking connotation, suggesting that the morally superior were often hypocrites, dressed in the garb of righteousness while harboring hidden flaws.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sanctimonia
“Holiness or sanctity.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
sanctimoniosus
“Full of holiness or piety.”
16th Century
English
sanctimonious
“Hypocritically pious; feigning holiness.”
Modern English
English
sanctimonious
“Describing someone who pretends to be morally superior.”