sententious Definition
- 1given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner
- 2using few words in a way that is intended to seem important or wise
- 3terse and energetic in expression; pithy
Using sententious: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sententious" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The senator's speech was sententious and full of platitudes.
Example
He had a sententious way of speaking that made him sound like a know-it-all.
Example
The book is filled with sententious phrases that are meant to inspire the reader.
sententious Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for sententious
- moralistic
- pompous
- preachy
- aphoristic
- self-righteous
Antonyms for sententious
Phrases with sententious
a style of writing or speaking that is characterized by the use of short, pithy sentences
Example
His sententious style made his speeches very popular with the public.
the quality of being given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner
Example
The author's sententiousness made the book difficult to read.
a concise statement of a general truth or principle, expressed in a sententious manner
Example
The book is full of sententious aphorisms that are meant to inspire the reader.
Origins of sententious
from Latin 'sententiosus', from 'sententia' meaning 'opinion'
Summary: sententious in Brief
The term 'sententious' [sen-ten-shuhs] refers to someone who moralizes in a pompous or affected manner, or uses few words in a way that is intended to seem important or wise. It can also mean terse and energetic in expression. Examples include 'The senator's speech was sententious and full of platitudes.' and 'The book is filled with sententious phrases that are meant to inspire the reader.'