Hypocritical: meaning, definitions and examples

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hypocritical

[ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Behaving in a way that suggests one has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.

Synonyms

deceptive, duplicitous, insincere, two-faced.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hypocritical	Used to describe someone who pretends to have certain beliefs, attitudes, or feelings when they actually do not. It often carries a strong negative connotation. She criticized others for lying, which was hypocritical because she lied frequently herself
insincere	Refers to someone who doesn't express genuine feelings or thoughts, often used in social interactions that lack authenticity. Her apology seemed insincere, as she quickly moved on to another topic
two-faced	A colloquial term used to describe someone who behaves differently with different people, usually betraying trust or revealing different opinions in different settings. It has a strong negative connotation. He acted friendly to her face but gossiped about her to others; he was truly two-faced
deceptive	Pertains to actions or appearances that intentionally mislead or give a false impression. Usually, it is used to describe something that is tricky and misleading. The ad was deceptive, making it look like the product was much larger than it actually is
duplicitous	Describes someone who is deceitful and double-dealing. It is often used to talk about personal or professional relationships where there's betrayal involved. His behavior was duplicitous; he pretended to support her plan but then sabotaged it behind her back

Examples of usage

He's so hypocritical, always preaching about honesty but lying all the time.
Don't be hypocritical and criticize others for things you do yourself.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

speech

Saying or pretending to believe that one holds certain beliefs or feelings when one does not.

Synonyms

dishonest, false, feigned, pretentious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hypocritical	Used when describing someone who criticizes others for behavior they themselves engage in. This word often carries a strong negative connotation. It's hypocritical of him to say he hates lying when he does it all the time. The politician was called hypocritical for opposing the tax increase publicly but benefiting from it privately.
dishonest	Used to describe someone who is not truthful or does things that are not morally right. This word also carries a negative connotation. She was fired for being dishonest about her work hours. His dishonest behavior ruined his reputation.
false	Used to describe something that is not true or is incorrect. It can also be used to describe a person's insincerity. The news report was based on false information. She gave a false promise that she never intended to keep.
pretentious	Used to describe someone who tries to appear more important, valuable, or talented than they actually are. This word also carries a negative connotation. His pretentious attitude made him hard to get along with. She made a pretentious remark about her extensive travels.
feigned	Used to indicate that something is pretended or faked, often emotions or feelings. He feigned interest in the conversation just to be polite. Her feigned surprise was not convincing.

Examples of usage

It's hypocritical of him to claim he cares about the environment when he drives a gas-guzzling car.
She accused him of being hypocritical for lecturing her on healthy eating while he's always seen eating junk food.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Greek word 'hypokritēs,' meaning 'an actor or one who plays a role.'
In ancient times, actors would wear masks to show different characters, which influenced the meaning of being two-faced.

Philosophy

Philosophers like Aristotle discussed the importance of virtue and authenticity, critiquing those who act in ways that contradict their beliefs.
In existentialism, being hypocritical can be seen as denying one's own freedom to be authentic and true to oneself.

Psychology

Cognitive dissonance occurs when someone feels uncomfortable due to holding conflicting beliefs, often leading to hypocritical behavior.
People may act hypocritically when they fear judgment or want to maintain a certain image in social situations.

Literature

Classic literature often explores themes of hypocrisy, with characters who embody this trait facing consequences, like in 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' highlights the hypocrisy of leaders who change rules to benefit themselves, sparking moral questions about power.

Pop Culture

In modern social media, many celebrities are criticized for being hypocritical when their public persona contradicts their private actions.
Reality shows often showcase hypocritical behavior, as contestants may say one thing to gain favor while doing another behind the scenes.

Translations

Translations of the word "hypocritical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hipócrita

🇮🇳 पाखंडी

🇩🇪 heuchlerisch

🇮🇩 munafik

🇺🇦 лицемірний

🇵🇱 obłudny

🇯🇵 偽善的 (ぎぜんてき)

🇫🇷 hypocrite

🇪🇸 hipócrita

🇹🇷 iki yüzlü

🇰🇷 위선적인 (wisonjeog-in)

🇸🇦 منافق

🇨🇿 pokrytecký

🇸🇰 pokrytecký

🇨🇳 虚伪的 (xūwěi de)

🇸🇮 hinavski

🇮🇸 hræsinn

🇰🇿 екіжүзді

🇬🇪 ფარისევლური (parisevluri)

🇦🇿 riyakar

🇲🇽 hipócrita

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,775, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18772 calming
18773 congregate
18774 murky
18775 hypocritical
18776 vivacity
18777 couplet
18778 uncultivated
...