1. in a way that expresses moral judgments or opinions in a pompous, self-righteous manner
Usage: often implies excessive moralizing

Examples

• The professor spoke sententiously about the importance of hard work.
• She sententiously declared that young people today lack proper values.
• He sententiously reminded everyone of their moral obligations.
• The politician sententiously lectured the audience about civic duty.
• The critic sententiously dismissed the novel as morally bankrupt.
• She nodded sententiously as if her wisdom was beyond question.