Definitions

insincere

[in-sin-seer] / ˌɪn sɪnˈsɪər /

ADJECTIVE

dishonest, pretended

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceitful devious disingenuous evasive false hypocritical phony untruthful

WEAK

ambidextrous backhanded deceptive dissembling dissimulating double double-dealing duplicitous faithless fake hollow lying mendacious perfidious pretentious put on shifty slick sly snide two-faced unfaithful untrue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

actual direct forthright frank genuine honest just open real reliable sincere straight straightforward trustworthy truthful 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.

They’re insincere and elitist and out of touch and smug in many respects, from the perspective of a young man.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

If time doesn’t allow for this, Fitzgerald says, it is often considered better to slip away than to appear rushed or insincere in a curt goodbye.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Peppering in phrases like “love bombing” and “disassociative” feels insincere.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

In response, Allister said: "If Claire is trying to pretend that I am insincere in my condemnation of violence then I utterly repudiate and indeed resent that comment."

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2025

Riley leaned forward and gave me an insincere smile.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Vocabulary lists containing insincere

The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6

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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 4

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