Hypocrisy: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when describing a situation where someone pretends to have beliefs, feelings, or virtues that they do not actually possess. It often has a moral or ethical connotation.

• His hypocrisy became evident when he preached about honesty but was later caught in a lie
• The politician's hypocrisy was exposed when she campaigned against corruption but was later found guilty of bribery

Insincerity is used to describe a lack of genuine feeling or purpose. It often conveys a sense of dishonesty or a pretense of emotion or commitment.

• His insincerity was obvious when he praised the project without any real enthusiasm
• The letter was full of insincerity, with compliments that felt forced and fake

Duplicity implies a deliberate act of double-dealing or deceit. It's often used to describe someone who speaks or acts in two different ways with different groups of people, typically for their manipulation.

• His duplicity was revealed when his two-faced nature came to light
• The manager's duplicity ruined the trust within the team

Deceit is used to describe an act of misleading or deceiving someone. It highlights the action of lying or tricking someone, often for personal gain.

• Her deceit was uncovered when the truth finally came out
• The company's deceit became apparent when it was revealed they had been misrepresenting their financial health

Falsehood refers to the state of being untrue or a statement that is not true. It's often used when discussing the nature of a lie or a false claim.

• The witness's falsehoods were evident during the trial
• The report was full of falsehoods that misled the public

Used to describe the behavior of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. Commonly used in general contexts to highlight dishonest behavior.

• It's pure hypocrisy to pretend to care about the environment while driving a gas-guzzling car.
• Critics accused the government of hypocrisy for promoting health while cutting funding for hospitals.

Typically used in contexts involving deceit and dishonesty, especially in professional or political environments. It often implies secret negotiations or actions that betray someone’s trust.

• He was fired for double-dealing with the company's competitors.
• Many believed that the politician's double-dealing would eventually come to light.

Used to describe someone who presents a different persona when interacting with different people to deceive them. It has a strongly negative connotation and is often used in personal relationships.

• I can't stand her two-facedness, pretending to be my friend but speaking ill of me behind my back.
• His two-facedness became apparent when he betrayed his closest friend.

Refers to the state or quality of being hypocritical. It is often used in more formal or literary contexts.

• The hypocriticalness of her actions left her friends deeply disappointed.
• His speech was full of hypocriticalness; he never adhered to what he preached.