sanctimony

From Middle French sanctimonie, from Latin sānctimōnia (“sanctity, sacredness; purity, chastity”), from sanctus (“holy”) + -monia (“action or result of an action”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsæŋk.tɪˌməʊ.ni/, /ˈsæŋk.təˌməʊ.ni/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈsæŋk.tɪˌmoʊ.ni/, /ˈsæŋk.təˌmoʊ.ni/

sanctimony (countable and uncountable, plural sanctimonies)

1. A hypocritical form of excessive piety, considered to be an affectation merely for public show.
   • 2012 June 21, Alessandra Stanley, “So Sayeth the Anchorman”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     At its best […] “The Newsroom” has a wit, sophistication and manic energy that recalls James L. Brooks’s classic movie “Broadcast News.” But at its worst, the show chokes on its own sanctimony.

• sanctimonious
• sanctimoniousness

• self-righteous
• phony
• holier-than-thou
• virtue signalling