noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈfaɹ.ɪˌseɪ.ɪz.(ə)m/
Received-Pronunciation:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˈfɛɹ.əˌseɪˌɪz.əm/
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:F AE1 R IH0 S EY2 IH2 Z AH0 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The doctrines and practices, or the character and spirit, of the Pharisees.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Rigid observance of external forms of religion without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: Christianity
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Alternative letter-case form of pharisaism.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Late Latin Pharisaismus, from Pharĭsaeus (“Pharisee”) + -ismus (“-ism”); compare French Pharisaïsme, Italian Fariseismo (archaic), farisaismo.
Across languages
Translations
13 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
fariseisme
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
Esperanto:
fariseismo
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
Finnish:
farisealaisuus
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
French:
pharisaïsme
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
Greek:
φαρισαϊσμός
(farisaïsmós)
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
Swedish:
fariseism
— doctrines and practices of the Pharisees
Esperanto:
fariseado
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
Finnish:
farisealaisuus
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
French:
pharisaïsme
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
Greek:
φαρισαϊσμός
(farisaïsmós)
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
Italian:
farisaismo
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
Portuguese:
farisaísmo
— rigid observance of external forms of religion
Swedish:
fariseism
— rigid observance of external forms of religion