pharisaic
Holier-than-thou in manner
Pharisaic describes self-righteous adherence to rules while missing their spirit—hypocritical piety that emphasizes outward observance over genuine virtue.
The word derives from the Pharisees, a Jewish sect that early Christians portrayed as legalistic and sanctimonious: His pharisaic insistence on following every regulation masked his own ethical lapses.
Often lowercase: pharisaical.
Smugly moralistic toward others
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- piousFaithfully devoted to worship
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
moralizing · priggish · self-satisfied · unctuous · sententious · superior · condescending · pompous
Pretense of virtue
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- insincerityLack of genuine feeling
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
dissembling · sham · outward show · lip service · whitewashed · feigning · sanctimony · posturing
Expressing severe disapproval
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
reproachful · accusatory · harsh · scornful · carping · denunciatory · unforgiving · casting stones
Exact statutory language
- ritualismEmphasis on ceremonial practice
- formalismPrivileging structure over substance
- technicalityPrecise procedural point
- hair-splittingExcessive focus on trivialities
nitpicking · ceremonialism · scrupulosity · punctilious · pedantic · rule-bound · loophole · casuistry
Rigidly attached to doctrine
- rigidUnable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
fundamentalist · uncompromising · narrow · hidebound · strict · hardline · unbending · intolerant
holier-than-thou
Smugly moralistic toward others
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- piousFaithfully devoted to worship
preachy · moralizing · priggish · self-satisfied · unctuous · sententious · superior · condescending · pompous · vainglorious
hypocrisy
Pretense of virtue
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- insincerityLack of genuine feeling
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
two-faced · dissembling · sham · outward show · lip service · whitewashed · feigning · sanctimony · posturing · affectation
condemning
Expressing severe disapproval
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
disapproving · reproachful · accusatory · harsh · scornful · carping · denunciatory · unforgiving · casting stones · contemptuous
letter of the law
Exact statutory language
- ritualismEmphasis on ceremonial practice
- formalismPrivileging structure over substance
- technicalityPrecise procedural point
hair-splitting · nitpicking · ceremonialism · scrupulosity · punctilious · pedantic · rule-bound · loophole · casuistry · exactitude
doctrinaire
Rigidly attached to doctrine
- rigidUnable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
unyielding · fundamentalist · uncompromising · narrow · hidebound · strict · hardline · unbending · intolerant · closed-minded
pharisaichumble
Unassuming about oneself
modest · self-effacing · unpretentious · unassuming · tolerant
pharisaiccompassionate
Showing concern for sufferers
merciful · flexible · understanding · charitable · forgiving