Definitions

wolf in sheep's clothing

NOUN

hypocrite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bigot charlatan crook impostor phony trickster

STRONG

actor backslider bluffer casuist cheat deceiver decoy dissembler dissimulator fake faker four-flusher fraud humbug informer malingerer masquerader mountebank pharisee poser pretender quack smoothie sophist swindler two-timer

WEAK

attitudinizer con artist lip server two-face

NOUN

tartuffe

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceiver hypocrite pretender

STRONG

actor backslider bigot bluffer casuist charlatan cheat crook decoy dissembler dissimulator fake faker four-flusher fraud humbug impostor informer malingerer masquerader mountebank pharisee phony playactor poser quack smoothie sophist swindler trickster two-timer

WEAK

attitudinizer con artist lip server two-face

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.

Regime insiders suspected him of being a wolf in sheep's clothing, waiting in the wings for the right moment.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

There’s a lightness about Stanley that I really enjoyed incorporating into the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2024

Kemp was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but his sheep suit was impeccably tailored.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2022

“A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf. Know your enemy.”

From Fox News • Jun. 10, 2020

Rev. Jason Lee soon found out the character of this wolf in sheep’s clothing, and presented charges against him for his immorality, and expelled him from the mission.

From A History of Oregon, 1792-1849 Drawn From Personal Observation and Authentic Information by Gray, William Henry

wolf in sheep's clothing

Example Sentences

Related Words