pharisaical Definition
practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical.
Using pharisaical: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pharisaical" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was criticized for his pharisaical attitude towards the poor.
Example
The politician's pharisaical behavior was exposed by the media.
Example
She accused her colleague of being pharisaical in his approach to work ethics.
pharisaical Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for pharisaical
- hypocritical
- pietistic
- sanctimonious
- self-righteous
- holier-than-thou
Phrases with pharisaical
a moral code that emphasizes strict adherence to religious or social norms without regard to the underlying principles or values
Example
His pharisaical morality prevented him from seeing the true needs of the people.
the act of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually possess, while at the same time criticizing others for not having them
Example
The pastor was accused of pharisaical hypocrisy when he was caught stealing money from the church.
an excessive sense of self-importance or superiority based on adherence to strict religious or moral codes
Example
Her pharisaical pride prevented her from admitting her mistakes and seeking forgiveness.
Origins of pharisaical
from Pharisee, a member of an ancient Jewish sect noted for strict observance of the traditional and written law, + -ical
Summary: pharisaical in Brief
'Pharisaical' [far-uh-sahy-i-kuhl] is an adjective that describes someone who practices or advocates strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit. It is often used to describe someone who is self-righteous or hypocritical, as in 'The politician's pharisaical behavior was exposed by the media.' The term extends into phrases like 'pharisaical morality,' denoting a moral code that emphasizes strict adherence to religious or social norms without regard to the underlying principles or values.
