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.

"The finding of the jury confirms that this lawsuit was a hypocritical attempt to sabotage a competitor," OpenAI attorney William Savitt said outside the courthouse.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Perrotin said he admired Allen’s work for years ahead of the Biennale appointment and was annoyed by the backlash, calling it hypocritical.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Most of these voters didn’t want to say that they like it when politicians are hypocritical.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

It’s always difficult to make a series or film that explores the pressures of fame and media-fed public interest without seeming hypocritical.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

“He does his work very well,” put in Henry, with hypocritical generosity.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

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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