sanctimonious
/ˌsæŋk.təˈməʊ.ni.əs/
Group 17Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Making a show of being morally superior to other people GRE
Example in Context
The politician's sanctimonious lectures on family values rang hollow when his own ethical lapses were exposed by investigative reporters.
Synonyms
holier-than-thoupreachysmug
Etymology
Claiming holiness while warning others of their faults makes one sanctimonious.
- sanctus (Latin) — holy
- monere (Latin) — to warn
Memory Aid
😇Sounds like “sanctum moanious”
In a SANCTUM, the moan of a self-righteous saint makes everyone else feel SIN-ful and inferior!
Visual Association
🙏A person on a soapbox, preaching moral superiority while others roll their eyes.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sanctimonious” mean on the GRE?
sanctimonious (adjective) means “Making a show of being morally superior to other people”. The politician's sanctimonious lectures on family values rang hollow when his own ethical lapses were exposed by investigative reporters.
How to remember “sanctimonious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “sanctimonious” sounds like “sanctum moanious”. In a SANCTUM, the moan of a self-righteous saint makes everyone else feel SIN-ful and inferior!
What are synonyms for “sanctimonious”?
Common synonyms: holier-than-thou, preachy, smug.