1. Members of a Jewish sect in ancient Palestine known for strict observance of religious law and tradition.
Usage: historical; often capitalized
2. A person who is self-righteous, hypocritical, or rigidly adherent to rules while lacking genuine moral conviction.
Usage: often capitalized when referring to the historical group; lowercase when used metaphorically; can be considered derogatory

Examples

• The Pharisees were influential religious leaders during the time of Jesus.
• In the New Testament, Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy.
• He condemned the pharisees in the organization for preaching virtue while acting unethically.
• The pharisees of that era believed in the resurrection of the dead, unlike the Sadducees.
• She accused the committee members of being pharisees, more concerned with appearances than justice.
• Ancient Pharisees developed much of what became Rabbinic Judaism.