hypocrisy

[hi-pok-ruh-see]

noun

plural

hypocrisies 

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 Word Forms

• hyperhypocrisy 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

Rayner faced charges of hypocrisy and calls for her to stand down.

From BBC

Former UK deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg has accused right-wing US politicians, including JD Vance, of "rank hypocrisy" for attacking UK speech laws while silencing dissent at home.

From BBC

There is no suggestion she has broken any laws, but the Tories have accused her of hypocrisy and called for an investigation by the PM's standards adviser.

From BBC

The most shocking aspect of the Bolton raid, however, is its rank hypocrisy.

From Salon

No sense of irony, hypocrisy or critical thinking is left.

From Salon

Related Words

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