Cantish

/ˈkæntɪʃ/ adjective

Definition

Somewhat inclined to canting; having qualities resembling canting; somewhat hypocritical or sanctimonious.

Etymology

From cant plus the adjective-forming suffix -ish, which means 'somewhat' or 'rather.' The -ish suffix is extremely productive in English for creating softer, vaguer versions of adjectives.

Kelly Says

The -ish ending is brilliantly British—'cantish' lets you call someone out for hypocrisy while maintaining plausible deniability, like saying 'sort of pious' instead of 'definitely hypocritical.'

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