as in moralistic
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Recent Examples of pharisaical
Lists are no substitute for criticism, but those who take them as inimical to criticism are pharisaical.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2022
David and Samuel explore the U.S. energy sector and evaluate what the future holds in an ESG landscape that has done its very best to bring economic incoherence to its pharisaical agenda.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 16 Jan. 2022
Yet Marlin makes clear that excommunication was never a real threat but rather one that Cuomo shrewdly used to turn himself into a victim of pharisaical bishops.
—Vincent J. Cannato, National Review, 7 Nov. 2020
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2022
David and Samuel explore the U.S. energy sector and evaluate what the future holds in an ESG landscape that has done its very best to bring economic incoherence to its pharisaical agenda.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 16 Jan. 2022
Yet Marlin makes clear that excommunication was never a real threat but rather one that Cuomo shrewdly used to turn himself into a victim of pharisaical bishops.
—Vincent J. Cannato, National Review, 7 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pharisaical
Adjective
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As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2025
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And understanding that pleasure and pain relief are not necessarily joined at the hip might help the rest of us be less moralistic about adversity in everyday life.—
Richard A. Friedman,
The Atlantic,
29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Unmatched in its warmth, its delightful disposition, its ability to inspire you—not with high fashion or sanctimonious pontificating or streets walled with money—but just by being its easy, sunny self.—
Allure Editors,
Allure,
17 Jan. 2025
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He was seen by some, then and later, as prickly and sanctimonious.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The pious townspeople eat food for sustenance, not enjoyment, and for over a decade Babette dutifully prepares a rather drab-looking bread soup for the sisters, per their instructions.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
21 Dec. 2024
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And yet something about her pious active listening face really gets to Urs.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Jamie Bernstein considers the attitude hypocritical.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
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There are several moments in which Stewart comes off as hypocritical and lacking self-awareness.—
Meredith Blake,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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But her cause, once mocked as intolerant and self-righteous, has been revived by members of today’s conservative Christian movement who warn that homosexuality is a threat to children.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2025
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Teddy descends into cruel, self-righteous paranoia, quickly alienating his family — to say nothing of the Maine electorate — in a bid to regain control of his campaign and life.—
Joumana Khatib,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The story prompted an uproar from fans of Michigan’s Big Ten opponents, who saw Harbaugh as a cheater and Michigan’s holier-than-thou image as a fraud, and urged commissioner Tony Petitti to take action.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
8 Aug. 2024
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In scenes together, Cooke’s arch line deliveries and holier-than-thou smirks spark against D’Arcy’s regal defensiveness and cool anger.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 June 2024
Adjective
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The character is an insincere male feminist who makes performative comments about healing psychological trauma and supporting women.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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Personalization is key to effective cold emailing, but doing it wrong can make your emails feel insincere or even drive people away.—
Samuel Darwin,
Forbes,
17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mandelson is a deeply charming, borderline unctuous character.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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The pickled mustard seeds provide little pears of flavor and an edge of acid that cuts through the unctuous dish.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pharisaical
Cite this Entry
“Pharisaical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pharisaical. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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