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

Some of the movie’s hand-wringing conversations — about politics poisoning the church, dividing people, fostering lies and hypocrisy — sound timely and will strike a chord.

From Los Angeles Times

Whatever their motives, their hypocrisy undermines the credibility of the program they host.

From Salon

The government has accused Mr Dutton of hypocrisy, arguing he has often talked "tough" on cutting immigration to the country, which has reached record levels in recent years.

From BBC

“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

Related Words

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