False piety is a term used to describe insincere or hypocritical displays of devotion or religious observance. Other words that could be used as synonyms for false piety include sanctimony, hypocrisy, affectation and pretense. Sanctimony refers to the display of holiness or righteousness in an arrogant or insincere manner. Hypocrisy refers to the act of pretending to have moral beliefs or virtues that one does not truly possess. Affectation refers to the practice of putting on a show or pretense of a particular quality or characteristic that is not genuine. Finally, pretense refers to the act of pretending or feigning something, especially for the purpose of deceiving others.