hypocrisy

[hi-pok-ruh-see] / hɪˈpɒk rə si /

NOUN

deceitfulness, pretense

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bigotry deceit deception dishonesty duplicity fraud insincerity mockery

STRONG

affectation cant casuistry display dissembling dissimulation double-dealing falsity glibness imposture irreverence lie pietism quackery sanctimoniousness sanctimony speciousness unctuousness

WEAK

bad faith false profession lip service pharisaicalness pharisaism phoniness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fairness frankness honesty openness trustworthiness truth truthfulness uprightness

WEAK

forthrightness righteousness sincerity

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.

Emilia, by contrast, is a strikingly modern figure in her cynical assessments of the hypocrisy of a culture that will deride women for sexual behavior that wouldn’t be censured in men.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

The deal marked a change of heart for Musk, who had earlier claimed that Anthropic’s AI was racist and accused the company of hypocrisy.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

The theatre website went on to say the play highlights how "we are still grappling with many of the same issues: gendered hypocrisy, slut-shaming, the corrosive danger of misinformation and mob mentality".

From BBC • May 13, 2026

A tradwife influencer’s public meltdown or toxic relationship prods at the artifice and hypocrisy of aspirational Christian content, but these scandals also reveal an uncomfortable relationship between creators and their audience.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

In different ways, Headmaster and Alan both reveal Middlefield’s hypocrisy.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Vocabulary lists containing hypocrisy

Advanced English Words

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All About That Baseless: Bad-Faith Accusations

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"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass

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