noun
sanctimony
SANK-tuh-moh-nee/sˈæŋktɪmˌoʊni/
A show of being morally better than others.
The man's sanctimony shows as he lectures about litter while dropping his own wrapper.
Etymology
Latin sanctimonia meant genuine holiness or virtuousness. English sanctimony shifted from piety itself to an outward, affected display of it, giving the word its critical force.
In context
this is moral sanctimony like i've never seen before right they believe they're morally correct
More examples
- His apology sounds more like sanctimony than regret.
- Voters tire of the candidate's sanctimony about family values.
- You can encourage recycling without the sanctimony.
Forms
sanctimony
sanctimonious adjective — Acting as though morally better than others.
Similar words
- self-righteousness
- Emphasizes certainty in one's virtue rather than its display.
- hypocrisy
- Involves conduct contradicting professed beliefs, not necessarily moral superiority.