hypocrisy

[ hi-pok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural hy·poc·ri·sies.

1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.
3. an act or instance of hypocrisy.

hypocrisy

/ hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc, contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety
2. an act or instance of this

Other Words From

• hyper·hy·pocri·sy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocrisy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ipocrisie, from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypókrisis “play acting,” from hypokrī(nesthai)́ “to play a part, explain” (from hypo- hypo- + krī́nein “to distinguish, separate”) + -sis -sis

Synonym Study

See duplicity.

Example Sentences

“I’m not going to allow biological men into women’s private spaces. It is the height of hypocrisy.”

From BBC

But we also understood that conservative hypocrisies don’t excuse all neoliberal anti-racist ones.

From Salon

They both also leave him open to accusations of hypocrisy - the wealthy prince, with the comfort of privilege, from his palaces and castles telling us how to make the world a better place.

From BBC

Alpha Male was born out of what Terhune saw as the hypocrisy of conservatives who espouse American ideals, such as freedom of speech and religion, but attack anyone opposed their prescribed views.

From Los Angeles Times

Countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly denied accusations they are using sport to distract from their authoritarian regimes' human rights violations, and have accused Western critics of hypocrisy.

From BBC

Related Words

• bigotry
• deceit
• deception
• dishonesty
• duplicity
• fraud
• insincerity
• mockery