Definitions

hypocritical

[hip-uh-krit-i-kuhl] / ˌhɪp əˈkrɪt ɪ kəl /

ADJECTIVE

deceitful, pretending

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceptive duplicitous false insincere sanctimonious self-righteous unnatural

WEAK

affected artificial assuming bland canting captious caviling deluding dissembling double double-dealing faithless feigning fishy fraudulent glib hollow jivey left-handed lying moralistic oily pharisaical phony pietistic pious smooth smooth-spoken smooth-tongued snide specious spurious two-faced unctuous unreliable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forthright frank genuine honest humble open real truthful

WEAK

actual authentic just reliable righteous sincere upright

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Lee Symonds, of the Artificial Grass Company Norfolk and Suffolk, said calls for plastic grass to be banned were somewhat hypocritical.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

"Looks like a nerve was well and truly hit," said one person, while another called his post "hypocritical".

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Why you should let it fade: While the film’s premise is novel and the franchise is known for its big swings, the very existence of “Toy Story 5” feels too hypocritical.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

The Dodgers’ marketing strategy aimed at blue-collar fans of the boys in blue isn’t hypocritical.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

He left her room with a broad, hypocritical smile, and once he was out of his mother’s field of vision he had to lean against a wall, because his legs were giving out.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Vocabulary lists containing hypocritical

"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story

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Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"

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