1. making a show of being morally superior to other people; hypocritically pious or righteous
Usage: often disapproving

Examples

• His sanctimonious speech about honesty rang hollow after his recent lies were exposed.
• She gave a sanctimonious lecture about healthy eating while secretly binge-eating junk food.
• The politician’s sanctimonious attitude toward corruption was undermined by his own scandals.
• I can’t stand his sanctimonious tone when he talks about charity work.
• Her sanctimonious comments about other people’s parenting choices were unwelcome.
• The sanctimonious preacher was later caught embezzling church funds.
• He spoke in a sanctimonious manner about the importance of family values.