Antonyms for unctuousness

Grammar : Noun

Spell : uhngk-choo-uh s

Phonetic Transcription : ˈʌŋk tʃu əs

Definition of unctuousness

Origin : late 14c., "oily," from Old French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus "greasy," from Latin unctus "act of anointing," from past participle stem of unguere "to anoint" (see unguent).
Figurative sense of "blandly ingratiating" is first recorded 1742, perhaps in part with a literal sense, but in part a sarcastic usage from unction in the meaning "deep spiritual feeling" (1690s), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction. Related: Unctuously; unctuousness.

As in lip service : noun empty talk
As in pharisaism : noun hypocrisy
As in phoniness : noun hypocrisy
As in sanctimoniousness : noun hypocrisy
As in sanctimony : noun hypocrisy
As in tartuffery : noun hypocrisy
As in two-facedness : noun hypocrisy
As in flattery : noun false praise, compliments
As in hypocrisy : noun deceitfulness, pretense

Example sentences :

"It's the name of a shell, my dear,—just the name of a shell," explained Rollins with some unctuousness.
Extract from : « Rainy Week » by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

Beside it Claude's has a suspicion, at least, of unctuousness.
Extract from : « French Art » by W. C. Brownell

They are also sometimes called Fat Oils, on account of their unctuousness, in which they exceed all other sorts of Oil.
Extract from : « Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed. » by Pierre Joseph Macquer

To such a mind there is no unctuousness, by which ideas may be fastened upon others without their assent.
Extract from : « The Behavior of Crowds » by Everett Dean Martin

Sometimes, as in the case of Oehlenschlger, advancing years produce in the talent a suspicion of corpulence, of unctuousness.
Extract from : « Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany » by Georg Brandes

But before the sudden woodeny set of his daughter's placid mouth his unctuousness twisted just a little bit wryly on his lips.
Extract from : « Little Eve Edgarton » by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

Hate and love, unctuousness or slime, which is particularly obnoxious in some religious people.
Extract from : « William Blake » by Charles Gardner

He smiled as he spoke with the unctuousness of a villain administering poison in a bouquet of roses.
Extract from : « Erik Dorn » by Ben Hecht

Its words drop fatness, its face oozes with unctuousness, its eyes swim with dews of mirth.
Extract from : « The Knickerbocker, Vol. 57, No. 1, January 1861 » by Various

There was an unctuousness in his courtesy that irritated Philip, but perhaps Philip envied him his place in the gig.
Extract from : « Wenderholme » by Philip Gilbert Hamerton

Synonyms for unctuousness

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019