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Pharisaic: meaning, definitions and examples

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pharisaic

 

[ ˌfærɪˈseɪɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

religious behavior

Related to the Pharisees, a Jewish sect in ancient times known for strict observance of religious laws and ceremonies; hypocritically self-righteous and pretending to be virtuous.

Synonyms

hypocritical, sanctimonious, self-righteous

Examples of usage

  • He put on a pharisaic display of piety in front of others.
  • The politician's pharisaic statements about integrity were exposed as lies.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Characterized by outward conformity to religious rules without genuine faith or sincerity.

Synonyms

insincere, pretentious, superficial

Examples of usage

  • Her pharisaic actions of attending church regularly masked her lack of true belief.
  • The company's pharisaic commitment to ethical practices was revealed to be a facade.

Translations

Translations of the word "pharisaic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 farisaico

🇮🇳 फरीसी

🇩🇪 pharisäisch

🇮🇩 farisi

🇺🇦 фарисейський

🇵🇱 faryzejski

🇯🇵 パリサイ的

🇫🇷 pharisaïque

🇪🇸 farisaico

🇹🇷 farise

🇰🇷 바리새적인

🇸🇦 فريسي

🇨🇿 farizejský

🇸🇰 farizejský

🇨🇳 法利赛的

🇸🇮 farizejski

🇮🇸 farísískur

🇰🇿 фарисейлік

🇬🇪 ფარისევლური

🇦🇿 farisey

🇲🇽 farisaico

Etymology

The word 'pharisaic' originates from the Pharisees, a Jewish sect in ancient times known for their strict adherence to religious laws and rituals. Over time, the term evolved to describe hypocritical or self-righteous behavior. The Pharisees were often criticized for their outward displays of piety without genuine faith, leading to the modern usage of 'pharisaic' to describe actions that are insincere or hypocritical.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,505, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.