Holier-than-thou (Adjective)
Meaning
Excessively or hypocritically pious; "a sickening sanctimonious smile".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The politician's holier-than-thou attitude towards the scandal was laughable considering her own history of corruption.
- Her holier-than-thou attitude towards her sister's divorce was hypocritical considering her own multiple failed marriages.
- The self-proclaimed spiritual guru's holier-than-thou lectures on the importance of humility were undermined by his lavish lifestyle.
- The preacher's holier-than-thou tone during the sermon was off-putting to many in the congregation who knew about his own secret vices.
- The celebrity's holier-than-thou social media posts about social justice were seen as insincere by many who remembered her own history of insensitive comments.