holier-than-thou
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As The Outline saliently noted in 2019, this disposition seemed to suggest a holier-than-thou elitism.
From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026
Longtime friends lauded Hartmire’s ability to weave his community into social justice causes without coming across as holier-than-thou.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2022
“Being green is not a charitable sort of self-flagellating, holier-than-thou exercise. It’s a good business model. That’s what we’d like to show,” said Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin.
From Seattle Times • May 16, 2022
“Well, speak for yourself. I don’t hate my husband,” one of you holier-than-thou marrieds might announce, folding your hands primly in your lap.
From New York Times • Dec. 24, 2021
If someone had asked her, a month or even a week before, to guess what she might have felt, she might have anticipated a sliver of gloating, or at least a moment of holier-than-thou.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
