Sententious

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /sɛnˈtɛn.ʃəs/

Definitions

1. Marked by an expression of moralizing ideas that often appears pompous or lofty
2. Describing communication that emphasizes moral lessons or maxims, sometimes at the expense of clarity
3. Tending to convey moral lessons or opinions in a self-important and lofty manner

Etymology: Latin "sententia" meant "opinion" or "purpose," and "sententiosus" was the adjective built from it, describing someone full of pointed maxims and weighty opinions. That sense of brimming with wise sayings carried into English, where "sententious" first meant concise and forceful in expression, the quality of a good aphorism. The word is unusual among common English adjectives in that its most familiar meaning is the reverse of its original praise. Over time the admiration curdled. A speaker who kept delivering moral sayings could come across as preachy, and "sententious" shifted toward describing someone who lectures others with a self-important air. Today it usually signals disapproval: a sententious speech is one that sounds profound but mostly wants to instruct.

Synonyms: pompous, self-righteous, preachy

Antonyms: unpretentious, modest