hypocritical
Americanadjective
-
of the nature of hypocrisy, or pretense of having virtues, beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess.
The parent who has a “do what I say and not what I do” attitude can appear hypocritical to a child.
-
possessing the characteristics of hypocrisy.
Isn't a politician hypocritical for talking about human dignity while voting against reasonable social programs?
Other Word Forms
- hypocritically adverb
- unhypocritical adjective
- unhypocritically adverb
Etymology
Origin of hypocritical
First recorded in 1515–25; equivalent to Greek hypokritik(ós) (from hypokritḗs “a stage actor” + -ikós -ic ( def. ) ) + -al 1 ( def. ); hypocrite ( def. )
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 Dodgers’ marketing strategy aimed at blue-collar fans of the boys in blue isn’t hypocritical.
From Los Angeles Times
Abandoning Ukrainians over the specks of sawdust in their eyes would be hypocritical and counter to our interests.
“Dead Man” takes aim at hypocritical strong men who grandstand on a pulpit.
From Los Angeles Times
Today we have something close to that but more hypocritical.
“A Queen Mother who betrays the Council and goes against the abosom! How horrendously hypocritical.”
From Literature
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.
