Insincerely: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is not genuine in their actions or words. Often applied in social situations where politeness might be feigned.

• She complimented her dress insincerely, just to avoid hurting her feelings.
• He apologized insincerely, not really meaning what he said.

Similar to 'deceitfully', implying lack of honesty and integrity. Often used in contexts involving integrity, trust, or ethics.

• He gained money dishonestly through fraudulent schemes.
• The student acted dishonestly by cheating on the exam.

Used to describe something that is not true. Often applied in legal or official contexts when information or accusations are incorrect.

• He was falsely accused of the crime.
• They claimed falsely that the product was safe to use.

Used to describe someone who pretends to have morals or beliefs that they do not actually possess. It has a strong negative connotation, often used to describe hypocrisy.

• She spoke hypocritically about the importance of health while smoking a cigarette.
• He acted hypocritically by advocating for environmental conservation but never recycling.

Used to describe actions or words that are meant to mislead or deceive others. It often has a negative connotation and is used in more serious situations like lies and fraud.

• He acted deceitfully by hiding important information from his partners.
• She spoke deceitfully during the negotiation to gain an unfair advantage.

Used to describe actions or words that are not genuine or heartfelt, often in polite or formal settings.

• She smiled insincerely during the meeting
• He apologized insincerely, and everyone could tell he didn't mean it

Used negatively to describe someone who acts in contradiction to their stated beliefs or feelings, often highlighting a double standard or false pretense of virtue.

• It's hypocritical of him to criticize her for lying when he does it all the time
• She gave a hypocritical speech about honesty

Used informally to describe something or someone that is not real, genuine, or authentic, often intentionally misleading. Can also refer to emotions or actions.

• She bought a fake designer bag
• His enthusiasm seemed fake during the interview

Describes someone who pretends to know less than they actually do, or who is not straightforward and honest, often to deceive or mislead.

• Her comments about not understanding the issue were disingenuous
• He was being disingenuous when he said he didn't care about the promotion

An informal term to describe someone or something that is not genuine or real, often used to criticize superficial behavior or objects.

• His friendly attitude seemed phony
• She was tired of dealing with phony people at work