hypocrite

[ hip-uh-krit ]

noun

1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie their public statements.

hypocrite

/ ˈhɪpəkrɪt /

noun

1. a person who pretends to be what he is not

Derived Forms

• ˌhypoˈcritically, adverb
• ˌhypoˈcritical, adjective

Other Words From

• hypo·criti·cal adjective
• super·hypo·crite noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocrite¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ipocrite from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritḗs “a stage actor,” hence “one who pretends to be what he is not,” equivalent to hypokrī(nesthai) ( hypocrisy ) + -tēs agent suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocrite¹

C13: from Old French ipocrite, via Late Latin, from Greek hupokritēs one who plays a part, from hupokrinein to feign, from krinein to judge

Example Sentences

However, instead of undermining Rogan, whose audience continues to grow, the legacy media have discredited themselves as hypocrites.

From Salon

On 17 January 2022, he wrote: "The only thing we should fear is that we will surrender our homeland to be plundered by a gang of liars, thieves, and hypocrites."

From BBC

He then observed how he has been called a hypocrite because he previously supported protesting against the Vietnam War.

From Salon

In this case, the shiny object is the idea that it’s Biden who is the hypocrite for comparing the PPP loans to student debt.

From Los Angeles Times

Mercurio eventually began to worry that he was a hypocrite for not yet carrying out an attack, according to the statement.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bigot
• charlatan
• crook
• impostor
• phony
• trickster