insincere
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of insincere
1625–35; < Latin insincērus tainted, dishonest; see in- 3, sincere
Explanation
Someone who's insincere is a little bit fake or phony. Your classmate's insincere apology for interrupting you probably sounds like she doesn't really mean it. When you're insincere, you're not being completely honest. A losing politician often gives an insincere-sounding concession speech, and a teacher who's having a terrible day might wear an insincere smile on her face. The adjective sincere, "coming from genuine, honest feelings," is at the root of insincere — the Latin prefix in, or "not," is combined with sincerus, "sound, pure, or whole."
Vocabulary lists containing insincere
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Insincere writing spat out tired idioms “like a cuttlefish spurting out ink”.
From The Guardian • Sep. 21, 2018
This academic paper, titled "Insincere Flattery Actually Works: A Dual Attitudes Perspective," shows that, in a sales context, it pays to give bogus compliments even when the recipient recognizes their transparent bogusness.
From Slate • Dec. 4, 2013
Insincere and selfish himself, why should he expect to awaken better feelings on the part of those who were anything but unsophisticated, and from knowledge of the world could gauge him at his true worth?
From Opening a Chestnut Burr by Roe, Edward Payson
Insincere, unscrupulous, cynical, unreliable; everything that's bad, bad, BAD!
From Miss Million's Maid A Romance of Love and Fortune by Onions, Mrs. Oliver
Insincere Confession.—An assistant in a school informed the principal that she had some difficulty in preserving order in a certain class composed of small children.
From The Teacher by Abbott, Jacob
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
