unctuous
excessively flattering or earnest in a way that feels insincere
Word origin: From Latin unguere, to anoint or smear with oil.
Unctuous in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing unctuous in a sentence.
The salesman's unctuous compliments made the customers uneasy rather than flattered.
The salesman's unctuous compliments grew so excessive that the buyers began to distrust everything he said.
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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence
The treaty was hailed as a triumph of diplomacy, yet historians now regard its terms as blank, since they merely postponed the conflicts they claimed to resolve.
Using “unctuous” well
Unctuous means excessively flattering or earnest in a way that feels insincere, conveying an oily smarminess. It is the opposite of sincere or genuine, and its literal sense is greasy or oily.
More GRE words starting with U
seeming to be present everywhere at the same time
to howl or wail loudly, especially in grief or celebration
offense or annoyance taken at a perceived slight
complete and unqualified, without anything to diminish it
having only one possible meaning; entirely clear
complete agreement among everyone involved
impossible to attack, question, or refute
not subjected to attack or challenge
Questions about “unctuous”
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