1. hypocritically self-righteous and condemnatory of others; showing moral superiority while being hypocritical
Usage: often derogatory
2. relating to the Pharisees, an ancient Jewish religious group
Usage: historical; religious context

Examples

• His pharisaic attitude toward his colleagues made him unpopular at work.
• She criticized others for their mistakes while ignoring her own pharisaic behavior.
• The politician’s pharisaic speeches about morality rang hollow given his recent scandals.
• Many found his pharisaic condemnation of others particularly galling.
• The pharisaic traditions were an important part of ancient Jewish religious practice.
• Scholars study pharisaic interpretations of religious law from that historical period.