hypocrisy

American  

[hi-pok-ruh-see] / hɪˈpɒk rə si /

noun

plural

hypocrisies

1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.

2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.

3. an act or instance of hypocrisy.

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hypocrisy British  

/ hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc, contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety

2. an act or instance of this

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Related Words

See duplicity.

Other Word Forms

• hyperhypocrisy noun

Etymology

Origin of hypocrisy

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ipocrisie, from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypókrisis “play acting,” from hypokrī(nesthai)́ “to play a part, explain” (from hypo- hypo- + krī́nein “to distinguish, separate”) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

We’re constantly reminded about the Founding Fathers’ hypocrisy on the matter of liberty, for example, but in a way that feeds curiosity about this American experiment of ours, not shame.

From Salon

There’s a lot of longhaired people that I got upset with over the years for their hypocrisy.

From Los Angeles Times

We barely took notice of this hypocrisy in the press, while the public at large cannot forget it.

From Salon

Clay tried to conceal his ownership of slaves, at least from Northern audiences, but was called out for hypocrisy by abolitionists.

From The Wall Street Journal

Exposing this hypocrisy to the public will be vital for the reform effort.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bigotry
• deceit
• deception
• dishonesty
• duplicity
• fraud
• insincerity
• mockery