sententious

adjective sen·ten·tious \sen-ˈten(t)-shəs\

: having or expessing strong opinions about what people should and should not do

Full Definition of SENTENTIOUS

a : given to or abounding in aphoristic expression

b : given to or abounding in excessive moralizing

: terse, aphoristic, or moralistic in expression : pithy, epigrammatic

— sen·ten·tious·ly adverb

— sen·ten·tious·ness noun

See sententious defined for English-language learners

See sententious defined for kids

Middle English, full of meaning, from Latin sententiosus, from sententia sentence, maxim

First Known Use: 1509

Synonyms: didactic, homiletic (or homiletical), moralistic, moralizing, preachy, sermonic

Antonyms: circuitous, circumlocutory, diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy

Next Word in the Dictionary: sentiencePrevious Word in the Dictionary: sententiaryAll Words Near: sententious

What made you want to look up sententious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears